NEWBERRY - Sure, it was nice to defeat South Atlantic Conference rival Mars Hill 3-2 at the Newberry Soccer Complex Wednesday afternoon. But what made the win even sweeter to the Indians is that they assured their place in history as the best men's side Newberry College has ever sent into SAC battle. Newberry improved to 2-2-1 in conference play, eclipsing the previous best 1-5-1 SAC record compiled by the 2001 team. Newberry also set the program mark for consecutive unbeaten streak at eight matches.
Newberry came out fresh offensively, surprising since the Indians played just two days ago on the road at Lenoir-Rhyne. Their offensive-mindedness paid its first dividends in the 26th minute, when Jason Wiggins (Charleston, S.C.) sent a screamer in the net after a deft touch by Jeffrey Taylor (Sumter, S.C.). Just seven minutes later, Saturday's hero Edsel Rudder (Port-of-Spain, Trinidad) used his superior speed to simply beat the Lions back line on the left wing, sending a shot to the far post, well out of reach of Mars Hill's keeper. Rudder's goal put the Indians up 2-0.
Mars Hill would not be dismissed so easily, as they worked into the Newberry box, getting a foul call and lining up for the dreaded penalty kick. Daniel Waymont (Weaverville, N.C.) took the shot, firing the ball to Indians keeper Bryan Linn (Safety Harbor, Fla.) left. Linn did well to get a piece of the ball, but the shot was simply too powerful as the Lions climbed back into the match 2-1.
At the start of the second half, an already physical game turned downright ugly in some places, as both combined for 35 fouls and four yellow cards during the match. Waymont notched the equalizer in the 75th minute, sending a sublime header over the out-stretched hands of Linn. Just as the threat of a tie had reared its ugly head, Troy Pinckney (Sumter, S.C.) found a fantastic long ball sent in by Brandon Cockrell (Mauldin, S.C.), and notched the game-winner. It was Pinckney's team-leading third game-winner of the season.
Mars Hill had one more chance to equal the match in the 90th minute, as Newberry was whistled for a foul dangerously close to the Indian's goal. The shot was taken, but collected effortlessly by Linn. Linn had 12 saves in the match and the two goals he allowed on Monday were his first in two matches.
The Indian men will take on Mount Olive at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, part of a Newberry double-header with the women, who will play at 2 p.m. against USC Aiken.
