MATTHEWS, N.C. — The Anderson University (10-3-4) men's soccer team dropped a 3-1decision to Catawba (13-1-2) on Friday at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews in the SAC Tournament Semifinals.
Luis Munoz had AU's first chance in the 13th minute, with Hector Vara making the save, before Munoz added another attempt in the 21st minute and forced another save in the 28th.
Asher Risell kept the match scoreless in the opening half-hour with a save on Diogo Correia in the 15th minute, while the Trojans played through a physical stretch that included four of their fouls from the 25th through the 39th minutes. Correia put the Catawba Indians in front in the 35th minute, and
Juan Pablo Lepervanche put another shot on frame in the 40th, but Vara saved it and AU entered halftime trailing 1-0.
Risell made a save on the Catawba Indians' opening shot of the second half before Catawba converted an early penalty. Munoz answered in the 53rd minute, scoring to make it 2-1.
Joachim Koch put a shot on frame in the 59th minute before the Catawba Indians scored in the 62nd to move the score to 3-1.
The Trojans kept creating set-piece chances, earning corners in the 63rd, 67th and 68th minutes before Lepervanche forced a save in the 72nd and AU earned another corner in the 73rd. The late push included six corners and four shots from the 80th through the 89th minutes, highlighted by
Jonas Zethofer hitting the right woodwork in the 86th minute. AU continued to press through the final minutes, but the score remained 3-1 at full time as the Catawba Indians took the match.
Munoz led the team with four shots, putting three on frame. Lepervanche added two shots, both on goal. Risell made two saves while playing all 90 minutes in goal.
The Trojans will now await their fate in the eyes of the NCAA as they bide for a spot in the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That field will be announced on Monday, November 9.
