Maryville Sneaks past Bishops on PK

Facundo Rondan, Photo courtesy-Dave Hilton, D3photography
Facundo Rondan, Photo courtesy-Dave Hilton, D3photography

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - The NC Wesleyan College Men's Soccer team suffered a heartbreaking defeat on Sunday afternoon falling 1-0 to West Division rival Maryville College (Tenn.) as their 8-game unbeaten streak came to an end.

Maryville scored on a penalty kick in the 14th minute of action to take the early lead on the Bishops after Wesleyan had two scoring opportunities go wasted in the opening five minutes. Their first shot by sophomore striker Aly Cadet was saved by the MC keeper in the opening minute before a slew of shots did not cross the goal line a few minutes later with one shot rolling across the line but not crossing it.

After each team had five shots apiece in the opening half, Wesleyan then continued to attack the Scots in the second half outshooting them 9-1 as Maryville had to play defense on the heels to barely hold off the Bishops. It took some impressive saves by their keeper in the closing minutes to hold off the hard-charging Battling Bishops.

Freshman goalkeeper Julian Bergman then made 4 saves on 5 shots on goal while freshman midfielder Matteo Costa led with 4 shots total.

Wesleyan falls to 7-5-1 overall and 7-2-1 in the conference while Maryville improves to 10-3-1 overall and 9-2 in the USA South.

The Bishops next take the field on Wednesday when they travel to Greensboro College to battle the East Division leaders at 4 PM.