ANDERSON, S.C. — The Anderson University (10-2-4) men's soccer team defeated Lincoln Memorial (6-6-4) 3-0 on Saturday in the SAC Tournament Quarterfinals. The Trojans scored all three goals in the second half and held LMU off the board through eight attacking actions from the 78th through the 90th minute.
The Black and Gold kept the first half scoreless, with
Asher Risell making a save and the defense holding through a late Railsplitters push.
Julian Caro recorded the first AU shot in the third minute, before LMU answered with a stretch that included Risell's save on Enrique Martin and a corner kick. The Trojans put together their best attacking spell around the 15th minute, getting a
Kenta Yagi shot, two corner kicks, a
Raul Perez attempt wide and a
Charles Bolduc shot saved by Daniel Benedek Miklosi.
Luis Munoz added another shot on goal in the 28th minute, and AU later withstood multiple Railsplitters chances from the 32nd to the 43rd minute to reach halftime tied 0-0.
The Trojans broke open the scoreless match in the second half. Perez and
Juan Pablo Lepervanche recorded shots in the opening stretch after the break before
Jonas Zethofer scored the game-winning goal in the 53rd minute off an assist from Lepervanche. The Black and Gold kept generating chances through the middle of the half, with
Aryan Benitez putting two shots on frame and
Adrian Castillo forcing another save.
Henrique Fronza then scored from Munoz in the 74th minute for a 2-0 lead.
LMU pushed late, but Risell made four saves from the 83rd minute on, and Zethofer added his second goal in the 86th minute as the Trojans closed the half without conceding.
Zethofer scored twice, including the game-winning goal, and led AU with five shots. Risell played all 90 minutes in goal, made five saves and recorded a shutout. Fronza scored on his lone shot attempt. Lepervanche tallied an assist and put both of his shots on goal.
The Trojans now move on to take on Catawba in the conference semifinals on Friday, November 6 at 2:00 PM at the Matthews Sportsplex in Matthews, N.C.
