October 22, 2014

Conference nemesis Mars Hill claims second consecutive win on McCown Field

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Following suit with last year’s post-season knockout match, Mars Hill (7-6, 7-2 SAC) toppled the Carson-Newman (5-7-2, 4-3-2 SAC) men’s soccer team 4-1 on its home turf earlier tonight.

Mars Hill

7-6 (7-2 SAC)

Carson-Newman

5-7-2 (4-3-2 SAC)

Final	1	2	T
Mars Hill (7-6 (7-2 SAC))	3	1	4
Carson-Newman (5-7-2 (4-3-2 SAC))	1	0	1

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Following suit with last year's post-season knockout match, Mars Hill (7-6, 7-2 SAC) toppled the Carson-Newman (5-7-2, 4-3-2 SAC) men's soccer team 4-1 on its home turf earlier tonight.

"I thought we were the better team for the first ten minutes," Carson-Newman head soccer coach Richard Moodie said. "We created some chances that could have changed the game."

The match was deadlocked at zeros until the 32^nd minute when MHU's Jack Donaldson capitalized on a pass from Alex Mullen for his second goal of the season.

Mullen put up two goals of his own over the next four minutes assisted by Thomaz Freitas and Kenny Anderson respectively. Mullen now has six goals on the year.

"We did everything right going into the game," Coach Moodie said. "Winning is contagious; unfortunately we've learned that losing is too."

With less than a minute remaining in the first half, redshirt junior Lucas Siqueira (Brazil) supplied the Eagles' lone goal. A long ball was sent into the Lions' box where freshman Tanner Heath (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) received the pass and with one touch dropped it back to Siqueira who drilled the ball first time to the left-side netting.

"That goal gave us a little hope," Siqueira said. "We were excited to get a goal before halftime."

Siqueira now sits in fourth place in points with 10. Robert Wagner (Germany) holds the lead with 14 followed closely by Marius Staalby (Norway) with 12 and Sindre Welo (Norway) with 11.

In the 72^nd minute, Mullen contributed his second assist and sixth point of the match by threading a pass through C-N's defensive line to Amine Merdjett who used one touch to curl the ball past the Eagles' junior keeper Micah Varner (Charlotte, N.C.).

"I think we just had some problems defensively," Siqueira said, "that we will have to sort out in practice."

C-N outshot Mars Hill 13 to 12, but the Lions placed seven shots on goal while the Eagles had two. Siqueira and Johann Pereira (Brazil) led the Eagles in shots with two apiece. Mullen landed three of his four shots on frame for MHU.

"We made some changes in the lineup tonight," Coach Moodie said. "We gave some different players a chance. That's why we brought them to Carson-Newman, to play."

Varner, Pereira, senior Nico Noll (Germany) and sophomore Jalen Goddard (Chattanooga, Tenn.) all received their first starts of the season tonight.

"It's been a rough year," Coach Moodie said. "I've learned a lot from this group. To prepare for Queens we've just got to roll up our sleeves and go at it again."

The men continue conference play at Queens Saturday at 7:30 p.m.