VIDEO: Highlights v. Queens
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Two Carson-Newman players scored their first career goals in a 2-0 win over visiting Queens at McCown Field on Saturday afternoon to close out a three-game homestand.
The Eagles extended to a five-game undefeated run that has lasted since a 2-1 loss at Lees-McRae on Sept. 6. Carson-Newman had not allowed a goal in 385 minutes of play since Sept. 9 when Clayton State scored a goal in the final five minutes of play in a 4-2 Eagles win.
The undefeated streak marks the longest streak of matches without a loss since the 2015 season win the Eagles had a 9-0-1 run come to a tough conclusion against Limestone in the first round of the NCAA Southeast Regional to end the season with a 115-3-2 overall record.
The victory marked the third straight conference win for the Eagles. The defense played a key role in the victory as the Lyons' team recorded its fifth clean sheet of the 2017 campaign. The team stands at 4-0-1 when conceding no goals in contests this season. The shutout was the 140th in program history.
"It was huge coming off of a huge game on Wednesday night (against No. 5 Lenoir-Rhyne) where the guys exhausted a lot of energy, physically and mentally, to react and be as positive as they were today and keep another clean sheet," head coach Stephen Lyons said of his team's performance. "Getting another win in the conference was a massive response from the boys."
VIDEO: Stephen Lyons Interview
Jonny Le Quesne put the Eagles on the board first with a goal in the sixth minute of play after taking a cross that was deflected by Queens, shooting from the 18-yard box to score. Later in the second half, Tom Rankin netted a shot past Ben Wallace in the left side of the net from 35 yards out to extend the Carson-Newman lead to 2-0.
The Eagles (4-1-1, 2-0-1) outshot the Royals 17-11 with six different players getting shots off. Tobias Solem Karlsen led the way with six shots and two finding their way on goal but not able to connect with the net.
Tom Read recorded three shots against Queens (3-3-2, 1-2-1), giving him 174 in his time with Carson-Newman.
Twan Verweij had another big day in front of the net, saving all seven shots that came his way. The performance moves him to 16 saves on the season with his fourth shutout.
"I just wanted to win again and we did good," Verweij said. "I think we should've scored earlier so we could've made it a little easier on ourselves.
"It was 2-0 and, again, the confidence was back knowing, 'OK, we're going to win this game,' so it was good."
VIDEO: Twan Verweij Interview
The Royals had six different players attempt shots on the afternoon. Edmundo Robinson and Caio Maciel each led the way with three shots.
In front of the net, Ben Wallace was only able to complete four saves for his team in the effort.
The series stands at 4-4-1 overall with the Eagles holding the advantage at home, 3-1-1.
The Eagles head back onto the road for a Tuesday evening match-up with the Chargers of Alabama-Huntsville. That game will kick off at 5 p.m. EST. The game will feature a live stream along with live stats from Huntsville and coverage from @CNathletics.
