FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. The Methodist men's soccer team hosted Regent University in non-conference action Tuesday evening. With the match tied in the final five minutes, sophomore
Gerard Bradley delivered the decisive moment, scoring the game-winning header in the 87th minute to lift the Monarchs past the Royals, 2–1, at Duggins Soccer Stadium.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist def. Regent, 2–1
Records: Methodist 6-0-2, Regent 0-8-0
Location: Duggins Soccer Stadium, Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Both teams struggled to maintain possession early in the match following heavy rainfall in the area. Methodist generated a few offensive opportunities, including a shot on goal by senior Angel Alarcon, but neither side was able to break through.
- The Monarchs eventually opened the scoring in the 28th minute. Methodist was awarded a free kick approximately 20 yards from goal along the right side, and Alarcon sent a cross into the box. Senior Garrett Panos rose near the left post and headed the ball back across the goalmouth, where senior Josh Mott redirected it into the bottom-right corner to give Methodist a 1–0 lead.
- Methodist nearly doubled its advantage early in the second half. Within a matter of seconds, the Monarchs had a penalty kick saved before generating another scoring opportunity, but Regent managed to keep the deficit at one.
- The Royals eventually found an equalizer in the 59th minute following a Methodist defensive miscue. A Regent cross deflected off a Monarch defender and into the net for an own goal, tying the match at 1–1.
- The intensity picked up from there, with both teams increasing the pace of play while searching for the go-ahead goal.
- Methodist ultimately found the breakthrough in the 87th minute. On a corner kick, junior Alex Ramson sent a ball into the box, where Alarcon got to it first and redirected it toward Bradley. The sophomore rose to meet the pass and headed the ball into the back-right corner of the net to put the Monarchs ahead 2–1.
- Regent was unable to produce an equalizer in the closing minutes as Methodist secured the victory and remained unbeaten through its first eight matches.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Mott scored his eighth goal of the season, which leads the USA South, while Alarcon's two assists increased his conference-leading total to eight.
- Bradley's game-winner was his fifth goal of the season, ranking second on the team. It was also his second game-winning goal of the year.
- Methodist improved to 6-0-2, marking its best start through eight matches since the 2014 season, when the Monarchs opened the year 5-0-1 before suffering their first loss.
UP NEXT
Methodist opens USA South play on Saturday, September 26, traveling to Southern Virginia University. Opening kick is scheduled for noon.
