Maghouz's book-ending goals rally Eagles past Royals

 

 

 

VIDEO: Highlights

VIDEO: Stephen Lyons interview

VIDEO: Sofian Maghouz Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – A season-high two-goal day from Sofian Maghouz (London, England), including a game-winner in the 85th minute, lifted Carson-Newman to a 2-1 win over Queens on Saturday night at McCown Field.

"They've shown a lot of character," Carson-Newman coach Stephen Lyons said. "To go one goal up and then attack back 1-1, we knew it was going to be digging deep, working hard. I actually thought we executed both goals very well. Sofian to get two tonight is great for him, but it was a team effort to get the result. I'm really happy with it."

Carson-Newman (6-2-1, 3-1-1 South Atlantic Conference) used the win to pick up its third-straight against Queens' (6-3, 3-2 SAC), now winning four of the last five matches played against the Royals on the banks of Mossy Creek.

While it was outshot for a second-straight match, the Eagles were able to contain Queens' 26 shots by forcing them to go wide or high with just 11 lading on frame. Of the 14 shots C-N attempted, eight were on goal.

Thaylan Silva (Sao Paulo, Brazil) led the Eagles in shooting with four attempts. The junior has been the top shot-taker for the Eagles in five games this season, two of those coming in the past two outings on the pitch.

All three of Maghouz's shot attempts landed on goal, matching a season-high that he set on September 28 in the draw at Anderson.

Queens' shooting rampage forced the Orange and Blue netminder Bram Kaarsgaren (Den Bosch, The Netherlands) to make a season-high 10 saves with eight coming in the first half alone.

C-N broke the scoreless tie in the 19th minute on a cross in the box by Evan Harr (Bristol, Tenn.). His shot landed on the noggin of Maghouz and into the back right of the net to put C-N up by one.

It took until the 62nd minute for Queens to find an answer. Michael Hornsby was near goal-line before sending a short cross back that fell into the possession of Jaden McCane to the left front of Kaarsgaren. McCane took his chance with a shot into the back right of the net to tie the match, 1-1.

With the match still tied heading into the final five minutes, Maghouz stepped up with his second game-winning goal in his career. A pass from just outside the left portion of the 18-yard box made its way inside and just past the open foot of Silva to find Maghouz. The freshman sent in a look to the inner right side of the left post to snag his second game-winning goal of the season.

Maghouz is now the fourth Eagle this season to record a multiple-goal game but the third to score a pair in one match.

"We knew that today would be a very hard game so we had to push," Maghouz said. "It was a phenomenal win as a team. When we went 1-1, our heads went down because that's what happened last game, but we pushed through stronger this time and the whole of the team just worked hard."

Queens led the shot tally 16-6 by the break, matching its lowest tally through the first 45 minutes that it set on September 18 against Lincoln Memorial. C-N added on eight shots in the second half with just three on goal.

Both Hornsby and Elvis Menayese were atop the Queens' shot chart with five on the night however Hornsby was one of three Royals to land two shots on goal.

Queens' Sebastian Kalk was called upon for six saves during the match. His total marked the fourth-lowest of a C-N opponent this season.

The Eagles embark on a five-match road trip, starting off against Alabama Huntsville on Tuesday. That match is slated to begin at 6 p.m. EDT from Charger Park. UAH will provide live stats and a live stream of the meeting while up-to-the-second updates can be found via @CNathletics on Twitter.