Newberry, S.C. – Coming off their first win of the season, Newberry faced a stout foe in SAC opponent Limestone University, who scored five first-half goals en route to a 7-1 victory.
With the Saints (6-1) coming off three straight matches without allowing a single goal, the Wolves encountered one of the toughest matchups of their season on Wednesday. Four minutes in, Limestone generated their first real scoring opportunity with a corner kick, and while the initial shot was denied, they gathered the rebound and Freshman Stefan Roeb was able to put in his first goal of the season to open the scoring. The Wolves' defense tightened up after this, making the Saints work for every opportunity, but their opponents would soon break the game open. Starting in the 34
th minute, Limestone managed a trio of goals off of devastating runs, scored by Sjur Drechsler, Mark Radoki, and Antonio Ferreira. The Saints would stike again just before halftime as Josiah Ortiz netted a goal with 21 seconds remaining.
Coming out of the break down 5-0 to a team that had only allowed one of its six prior opponents to even score a goal, the Wolves refused to go out meekly. Although the Saints came out of the break with full intensity, Newberry was able to tighten up their defense and limit scoring opportunities. In the 59
th minute, they finally drew blood when
Nestor Nunez led a counterattack into the box and found freshman
Henok Awoke, who found net for his first goal of the season. With their hopes of a shutout dashed, Limestone pressed the attack even more, extending their lead with Radoki's second goal of the day in the 64
th minute. Scoring opportunities slowed for both sides as the game went on, but after the Saints were awarded a penalty kick in the 79
th minute, Josiah Ortiz finished to extend the lead to 7-1, which would end up the final score after a pair of Wolves' attempts in the closing minutes were denied.
SAC play continues this weekend for the Wolves as they travel to Wingate on Saturday, October 2 for a 7:30 p.m. game.
