LYNCHBURG, Va. -- The Methodist men's soccer team started the 2015 campaign with a close 3-2 victory over Lynchburg College on Tuesday night.
The Monarchs (1-0) were the first on the board, going ahead 1-0 on an
Eirik Nordseth goal, assisted by
Seth Harrison, in the 17th minute. This lead would hold for the rest of the first half.
Methodist came hot out of the gates in the beginning of the second frame, going ahead 2-0 at the 45:46 mark as Harrison netted an unassisted goal of his own on a breakaway off a Hornet (0-1) turnover.
The home team answered with two goals within 16 minutes to knot the game up at 2-2. Fredy Flores brought LC within one goal in the 54th minute with an assist from Thomas Salamone and Jon Mackey headed in the tying goal off a feed from Ben Grossfuss in the 70th minute.
In his first collegiate outing,
Haakan Wahlstrom netted the game-winning goal in the 76th minute, scoring on an assist by Nordseth, putting the Green and Gold ahead, 3-2.
Overall, the match was neck-and-neck offensively, with both teams recording 13 shots. MU held the edge in shots on frame, however, with eight to LC's five.
The 2014 USA South Rookie of the Year,
Alex Rabone, picked up his first win in goal, playing all 90 minutes and making three saves with two goals allowed. Cory Budka took the loss for LC, also seeing all 90 minutes, allowing three goals with four saves.
The Monarchs continue play on the road as they travel to Pittsburgh to take on Grove City College on neutral ground on Friday at 4 pm.
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