Box Score MARS HILL, N.C. – Newberry men’s soccer team picked up a massive 2-1 win on the road against Mars Hill and earned the program’s first road victory since a 4-0 win on Sept. 13th, 2010 at Chowan.
The Wolves (1-2-0, 1-0) and Lions (0-3-0, 0-1) scratched and clawed in a physical game from start to finish despite an two hour and 24 minute delay for lightning that came halfway through the first period. The game restarted at 10:19 p.m.
“I’m very proud of the boys on the win tonight against a quality Mars Hill team that pressured us. I’m really happy to see a great performance from goalkeeper Nick Lucido,” said head coach Barry Slagle.
Freshman Paul Marie (Saint-Aubin-Des-Bois, France) struck first with the opening goal for the Wolves 38:04 into the match on a breakaway after beautiful buildup in which he was sprung free on a pass by Dillon Pelton (Pomaria, S.C.). Marie took the keeper one-on-one after making a 60 yard run and beat him far post as he slotted it into the corner.
In what was the 8th fastest response between two competing DII teams, Mars Hill answered right back taking just 20 seconds off the ensuing kickoff to score as Jack Donaldson finished a breakaway in the upper corner where Nick Lucido (Lakeland, Fla.) couldn’t reach it
Newberry would go on top for good after Mars Hill goalkeeper Oliver Pannell played a clumsy pass out of the back that was intercepted by Mario Stojkoski (Skopje, Macedonia) who settled the ball with his chest and took a shot from 40 yards out and blasted it over the keeper’s head and into the back of the net.
Apart from the one goal allowed, Lucido was a rock between the posts turning away shots as he posted 14 saves and kept the Wolves in the game the rest of the way. He stopped shot after shot and tried to alleviate pressure as the Lions continued to pressure high.
The teams combined for 28 fouls, 15 for Mars Hill and 13 for Newberry, and a total of 12 cards in a scrappy and physical contest. 10 yellow cards were issued to Newberry, including an accumulated red card to Tomas Garcia (Vina del Mar, Chile) who picked up his second yellow at the 79:54 mark.
Down to 10 men, Newberry went into defensive mode for the last 10 minutes of the game throwing themselves to block shots and cut off attacks as they held off a ferocious attack by Mars Hill. Christian McArthur had a header hit off the crossbar and Alex Mullen had a header hit off the post in the final 30 minutes but they couldn’t put another one past Lucido and the Wolves defense.
Mars Hill outshot the Wolves 37-8 for the game and also held a 7-0 edge in corner kicks though the game was played entirely wide open.
The Wolves will look to build off the win with their home opener on Sept. 17th as they take on North Greenville at the Smith Road Complex at 4 p.m.
