Men’s soccer winning streak ends

By Brad Ciociola
Staff Writer

Each team saw a player ejected, as the Braves Men's soccer team has had to rebound after a home loss to Methodist Sept. 23.

The Braves, then 5-0 and ranked fourth nationally, lost to the unranked Monarchs 3-1 in a heated game that saw 7 yellow cards and one red card issued.

The Braves defense which had seen little action due to their dominating offense was worked hard early in the game.

While the Braves carried a 1-0 lead into halftime, the Monarchs opened up with three goals in the second half.

Monarch goalie Justin Agema blanked the Braves in the second with five saves.

The loss ended a 14 game winning streak for the Braves and dropped their national ranking three spots to seventh.

Two days later, the Braves, reeling from their first loss of the season, blanked undefeated Peach Belt Conference foe Clayton College & State (7-1-1) 1-0 on a 1st half goal by Graeme Little. The Braves defense was stronger against the 14th ranked Lakers allowing only 11 shots.

The Braves traveled to Mount Olive (8-2) to close out the month where they recorded their second shut-out in a row with a 2-0 win against the Trojans.

John Cooper put the Braves on the board 36 minutes in and Mircea Cosac put one in off a deflection 1:41 into the second half. It was all UNCP would need as they went on to hand Mount Olive its first loss in five games.

The Braves had a good September even with the loss.

They closed out the opening month of the season 7-1, 2-0 in the PBC.

The Braves are currently ranked 1st in the conference as well as first in the Southeast region.

The Braves stat sheet is impressive.

Through eight games the Braves have taken 161 shots on goal compared to only 69 by their opponents.

The Braves have made 33 of those shots to only 12 allowed.

The Braves are more than doubling up their opponents with averages of 4.1 goals per game to just 1.5. Trond Myrland leads the team in goals with eight; he also leads the team in shots.

Four players have three assists. Richard Sallin has recorded two shutouts in goal with a .923 saves percentage.