ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - The NC Wesleyan College men's soccer team earned a 1-0 win over rival Methodist University (0-2) in their home opener on Tuesday afternoon.
Senior forward Lorenzo Cocchia scored the lone goal for the Bishops near the end of the first half in the 43rd minute with his penalty kick goal after being tackled in the box.
The game was full of missed scoring chances for the Bishops as they outshot the Monarchs 14-1 in the first half as they hit numerous posts and crossbars, but finally found the net on Cocchia's PK.
The second half saw the Bishops attack more often and become more aggressive as they looked for that insurance goal with Cocchia's and Juan Simoniello's shots both hitting the crossbar. However, the extra goal never came even as the Bishops outshot the Monarchs 10-2 and 24-3 overall.
Cocchia led with 8 shots overall and 4 on goal while freshman midfielder Ian Garnero recorded two shots on goal. Freshman goalkeeper Matteo Torchio made one save on one shot as he improves to 1-1 on the year.
NC Wesleyan, now 1-1, will next go on the road to face Pfeiffer on Saturday at 3:30 PM.