Newberry, S.C. – A week after pulling off the upset against Lenoir-Rhyne, the Newberry men's soccer team was not able to do the same at Mars Hill, being defeated 2-1 by the Lions after falling behind in the second half.
Coming into the match with only one loss in their past seven contests, the Lions got off to a hot start. In the 2
nd minute of play, defender Luke Manley sent a deep cross into the box where forward Kevonte Willoughby-Williams headed it into the net for the quick score, his eighth on the year.
Mars Hill kept up the pressure after this, forcing Newberry keeper
Pablo Cubas to make three saves over the next six minutes. But the Wolves regained possession and were soon able to turn momentum in their favor.
A 12
th-minute shot from senior
Noah Vezzu was saved by Brennan Whalen when he deflected the ball out to set up a corner. Junior
Adrian Garcia took the attempt, sending a perfectly placed ball to sophomore
Harry McDonnell, who headed it in for his fourth goal of the season.
After a torrid start to the game, both defenses settled in for the remainder of the half. Each side recorded seven shots in the period but was not able to get another in goal, and the teams went into the break with the score tied at one all.
The second half started off with both sides looking to hold possession and find opportunities to break the tie. The tide soon turned against the Wolves when they had a player sent off after receiving his second yellow card on the day in the 57
th minute.
With the Wolves playing a man down, Mars Hill was able to capitalize in the 61
st minute. Willoughby-Williams sent a cross into the box where senior Sebastian Bertilsson was able to send a diving header past the keeper for his 12
th score of the season, second in the SAC.
Once again holding the lead, the Lions limited Newberry's scoring opportunities in the second half, only allowing one more shot on goal. As the clock ticked down on the half, Mars Hill turned up the attack in an attempt to increase their differential, but Bertilsson had two shots denied in the final minute as the game finished with the score remaining 2-1.
The Wolves play their final match of the season on Wednesday, November 3 when they travel to Catawba College for a 5:00 p.m. kickoff.
