Railsplitters Score Homecoming Come-From-Behind Win Over Lenoir-Rhyne University
October 11, 2008
HARROGATE, TN - The Lincoln Memorial University men's soccer team snapped a four-match winless streak with a 2-1 come-from-behind homecoming victory over conference opponent Lenoir-Rhyne University on Saturday to remain among the leaders in the South Atlantic Conference men's soccer race at 3-1 in league play.
LMU battled the Bears to a 0-0 tie throughout the first 34 minutes of the match until Lenoir-Rhyne's Aaron Wheeler dribbled his way down the endline and placed a precise angle shot into the far corner of the net to give the Bears a 1-0 lead.
Lenoir-Rhyne carried the lead into the intermission and well into the second half before the Railsplitters were able to score the equalizer. LMU's tying goal came by freshman Andrew Bayerl (Milford, OH) in the 85th minute and was unassisted when the keeper punched a crossed ball out and Bayerl slammed it into the net to even the match at 1-1. The Railsplitters, who were playing without the services of several key players didn't show any mercy with the offensive attack following the tying goal. Sophomore Aaron McKenna (Birmingham, England) scored the game-winning-goal less than four minutes later in the 88th minute on an assist by teammate Willian Moura (Newtown, CT). The goal caused an eruption from Railsplitter faithful that included alumni, students, family and fans.
Defensively, Railsplitter goalkeeper Michael Watkins (Statesville, NC) recorded five saves with one goal against, while Lenoir-Rhyne goalkeeper Matthew DiCerbo finished the afternoon with four saves and two goals against.
Now 8-4-2 overall and 3-1 in South Atlantic Conference play, the Railsplitters have October 18 to fine tune the engine for their next league match which will be on the road against Catawba College. The match between the Catawba Indians and the Railsplitters will be under the lights, with first touch at 7:00 p.m. in Salisbury, North Carolina.
