Tusculum Men's Soccer Outlasts Carson-Newman in SAC Thriller
Oct. 15, 2008
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - The no. 7 Tusculum College men's soccer team survived a late surge by no. 25 Carson-Newman College on Wednesday night in a South Atlantic Conference thriller, shutting the Eagles 1-0 behind Corey McPherson's goal early in the second half. With the win, Tusculum improves to 12-1-1 on the season and 4-1-1 in SAC play, while Carson-Newman falls to 8-3 and 5-1 in conference action.
The two sides played a scoreless first half as neither team was able to find the back of the net, combining for 14 quality scoring chances in the first 45 minutes of play.
Tusculum took a 1-0 advantage midway through the 50th minute when Bruno Conceicão made a prolonged run down the right flank, before swinging in a low, driven cross that found an open McPherson for the easy header past the Eagle keeper. The goal was McPherson's fourth of the season, and his second match-winner which moves him into a tie for second on the team.
The Pioneers survived a number of late pushes by the Eagles, as Carson-Newman outshot TC 14-4 in the final 35 minutes to hold a 24-11 advantage in shots at the final whistle. McPherson and Anteneh Lemma led the black and orange with three shots each, as Carson-Newman's Omar Cooke (Roanoke, Va.) finished with a match-high six shots.
Tusculum's Lance Moore made a season-high eight saves to record his SAC-leading eighth shutout of the campaign, moving him within one clean sheet of Tony Swaminathan's program record of 15 career shutouts. Jordan Moore (Hendersonville, Tenn.) played the full 90 minutes in goal for the Eagles, allowing one goal and making three saves.
The Eagles return to the pitch Sunday when they travel to Wingate, N.C. for a SAC matchup with Wingate University at 3 p.m.
