MARS HILL, N.C. -- Senior forward Omar Cooke (Roanoke, Va.) scored on an unassisted breakaway with less than seven minutes left in regulation to lift Carson-Newman past Mars Hill, 2-1, in the South Atlantic Conference opener for both squads on Tuesday at the Ammons Family Athletic Center and Meares Stadium.

With the win, the Eagles improve to 2-1-1 on the season, while the Lions fall to 1-4-1.

Senior defender Everardo Flores (Silver Spring, Md.) tallied C-N's first goal off a deflection at the 21:20 mark of the first half to put the Eagles up 1-nil. Daniel Tackling (Norwich, Conn.) recorded the assist on the goal. C-N held its one-goal lead heading into the locker room.

Mars Hill's Giovanni Malnati (Guayaquil, Ecuador) scored the equalizer in the 61st minute on a cross from Friddy Hoegner (Cologne, Germany), but Cooke put the match away as he found the back of the net in the 84th minute to give the Eagles a 2-1 advantage.

C-N out shot the Lions 18-14 and edged Mars Hill in corner kicks 9-5.

Jordan Moore (Hendersonville, Tenn.) played the entire match in goal for the Eagles and made five saves, while Justin Spencer (Statesville, N.C.) played the full 90 minutes for Mars Hill and made three saves.

The Eagles return to the pitch at home on Saturday in a SAC matchup against Brevard. The match is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. at McCown Field.