Men’s soccer ties Lenoir-Rhyne on road

By Matt Smith
Sports Editor

courtesy of UNCP Sports Information

UNCP’s Davis Stephenson scored the Braves only goal in a 1-1 tie against Lenoir-Rhyne.

A 20-10 shot disparity couldn’t help the Braves edge Lenoir-Rhyne, as the game finished in a 1-1 tie Sept. 12 at Lenoir, N.C.

The Black and Gold out shot the Bears 7-2 in the game’s two overtime periods, but were unable to pull away from the Lenoir-Rhyne defense for the go-ahead goal.

UNCP goalie Tom Courtney saved three goals in the first half to take the Braves into halftime with a 0-0 tie before both teams scored goals in the second half.

Lenoir-Rhyne’s Gay Higgins scored the game’s first goal on a penalty kick at the 53-minute mark to give the Bears the early lead.

But just 16 minutes later, the Braves responded with a shot to the back of the net by senior midfielder Davis Stephenson to knot the score at one apiece.

The goal was Davis’ first of the season.

UNCP sophomore forward Andy Pullin assisted on Stephenson’s goal for his first assist of the season.

With the game tied heading into overtime, Lenoir-Rhyne junior forward Dave Bailey almost sealed the game for the Bears, but his shot at the 97th minute just missed the goal to keep the score tied.

Overtime shots
The Braves added five more shots in the second overtime, but were unable to connect for the road victory.

Lenoir-Rhyne goalkeeper Tom Heath saved two goals in the second overtime to keep the Braves off the scoreboard.

With the tie, the Black and Gold completed a five-game stretch where the team went 2-1-1 in four road games.

The men’s soccer team will next be in action Sept. 16 as regional rival St. Andrews travels to Pembroke to take on the Braves.