November 1, 2025

#5 AU uses strong defense to hold off C-N

Carson-Newman (2-9-3, 2-6-1 SAC) reset season-highs in shots and shots on goal, but was shutout by fifth-ranked Anderson (9-1-4, 6-1-2 SAC) on Saturday night at McCown Field.

#5 Anderson (S.C.)

9-1-4, 6-1-2

Carson-Newman

2-9-3, 2-6-1

Final	1	2	T
#5 Anderson (S.C.) (9-1-4, 6-1-2)	1	0	1
Carson-Newman (2-9-3, 2-6-1)	0	0	0

VIDEO: Stephen Lyons Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (2-9-3, 2-6-1 SAC) reset season-highs in shots and shots on goal, but was shutout by fifth-ranked Anderson (9-1-4, 6-1-2 SAC) on Saturday night at McCown Field.

"I thought for longer spells we were the better team again," Carson-Newman head coach Stephen Lyons said. "We've got to have that cutting edge and remove the basic errors that other teams are punishing us for. Both sides of the ball we need to be more clinical, more aggressive and a little more intent about ourselves. For Anderson being number five, I didn't think we were way off of it."

Much of the first half was scoreless. Senior Ben Dukes delivered the game's first shot on goal in the 7th minute. His near-sided attempt was collected by Anderson keeper Franco Antoniolli, who was excellent all night.

C-N goalie Elijah Buford made his first save of the night in the 13th minute. Jonas Zethofer's shot toward the center of goal was stopped. Shortly after, Rhydian Williams booted a ball toward the bottom right side but Antoniolli was good again.

Maxime Wester and Antoine Torrent had the game's next two shots on goal in the 21st and 35th minutes, but both attempts toward the right side were saved.

After seeing C-N get more of the chances and possession, it was Anderson hopping on a mistake to take the lead. A miscommunication on a header back into the box led to Juan Pablo Lepervanche sprinting to the ball first and booting it in an empty net to AU ahead 1-0 in the 36th minute.

Carson-Newman recorded its first two corner kicks of the night in the first minutes after halftime. Only one shot was attempted, a wide right attempt from Williams.

Honcoop and Williams had great chances in the 52nd minute. Honcoop tried a header but Antoniolli made the stop in the bottom right corner. It led to a corner kick and a Williams chance that was also stopped.

The game had chaos in the 54th minute. Players were involved in a scuffle and it led to red cards being issued to C-N's Dan Coles and AU's Juan Pablo Lepervanche. Both teams would play the final 36 minutes with 10 players aside.

C-N would return to its offensive attacking form seven minutes after the offsetting red cards. Dukes tried a chance from outside the box but the shot went right to Antoniolli in the 61st minute.

Just a minute later, Buford kept the deficit at one by saving a Jonas Zethofer shot. He needed to make another stop in the 72nd minute. Joachim Koch headed a shot right at Buford off a free kick.

Off that chance, Carson-Newman would quickly get a pair of its own. Antoine Torrent had a shot toward the top of goal punched away and one minute later Williams saw Antoinolli snag another in the 74th minute.

The Williams shot would be C-N's last shot on target in the match. Dukes took C-N's final chance in the 84th minute and missed wide.

The Eagles outshot Anderson 18-13 and held a nine to five advantage in shots on goal. It's just the third time this year that Lyons' team has outshot its opponent.

Dukes took a team-high five shots, with three others attempting at least for C-N as well.

AU's Antoniolli made a season-high nine saves to record his fourth clean sheet of the year.

Carson-Newman will play a must-win game on Wednesday evening versus Tusculum to end the regular season. First touch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Coverage is available with a subscription to FloSports.