Resilient Eagles draw with Limestone in SAC opener
September 7, 2022

Resilient Eagles draw with Limestone in SAC opener

Carson-Newman (2-1-2) once again battled back after a first-half goal to play to a 1-1 draw with Limestone (0-1-3) Wednesday evening at Saints Field.

 Box Score

GAFFNEY, SC.-  Carson-Newman (2-1-2) once again battled back after a first-half goal to play to a 1-1 draw with Limestone (0-1-3) Wednesday evening at Saints Field.

"A tough conference opener on the road and thought draw is probably a fair result overall," Coach Stephen Lyons said. "Both teams had decent spells of possession and scoring opportunities. The guys again showed great attitude after going behind and I couldn't fault their efforts. We'll look to go again in conference Saturday against Anderson."

C-N first two shots of the match came in a 30 second span in the 22nd minute, as Seniors Ewan Lynch and Gustavo Moses Bessa had shots blocked by Limestone defenders. The Eagles had five corner kicks in the first 25 minutes of the match but could not take advantage. 

Limestone got the scoring started in the 33rd minute, as Jacob Hancock fired in a good cross that was headed by Angelo Fabricio past C-N goalkeeper Darin De Meza to put the Saints up 1-0. 

The Eagles have conceded the first goal of the match in all five games this season.

Senior Willem Kruijk gave the Eagles their next opportunity as he had his initial shot blocked, and then his followed-up shot was saved by Saints goalkeeper Alfie Rule. C-N went into the half trailing 1-0. 

The first opportunity of the second half, for the Eagles, came in the 54th minute as senior Tim Vercelli got behind the Saints defense, but Rule came up with another stop to keep C-N off the board.

Just two minutes later, it was Vercelli making things happen again. This time he sent a cross from the right side of the box, where the ball found the feet of Moses Bessa who tapped it in to tie the game at 1. 

C-N's defense stepped up in the 73rd minute, as Luke Alexander fired a shot from the top of the box that was saved by De Meza. The senior goalkeeper stepped up again in the 75th minute as a header from Falk Jorch was once again saved by De Meza. 

De Meza made one more crucial stop in the 89th minute. C-N committed a foul just outside the box and De Meza made a full-extension dive, ranging to his left to save Jacob Hancock's shot attempt. The save helped the Eagles secure the draw.

C-N ties for the second consecutive game. The last time the Eagles played to a draw in back-to-back matches was in 2019 on Nov. 2 and Nov 6 against Wingate and Tusculum.

De Meza recorded four saves in the match.

C-N's six corner kicks in the match are a new season high. The previous high was five against Lee the last time out.

The Eagles wrap up their longest road stretch of the season when they take on Anderson Saturday night for a 7:30 p.m. kick.

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