BELMONT, N.C. – A second-half offensive onslaught bookended by a pair of Theo Hardenby Öhrwall goals lead Carson-Newman to take down Belmont Abbey in a rain-soaked season-opener, 4-1, on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field.
Carson-Newman (1-0) was forced to battle back after an early second half goal and answered with four goals in a span of 14 minute. This was the first comeback win since Sept. 25, 2019 when they battled back from a 1-0 deficit to take down King, 3-1.
The win moves C-N to six-straight season-opening victories with each of the past four coming on the road. The Eagles now hold a four-match winning streak over Belmont Abbey (0-2).
This is the fourth consecutive season lidlifter in which the Eagles scored at least a trio of goals. In that span, they have outscored their opponents 17-1.
"Great performance today from the guys in very difficult weather conditions," Carson-Newman coach Stephen Lyons said. "I thought we dominated the game and went behind against the run of play. The lads showed great reaction to come back and solidify a very good result on the road."
Theo Hardenby Öhrwall (Stockholm, Sweden) made a statement in his C-N debut, playing a hand in three of the four goals scored by the Eagles. He bookended the scoring bonanza with a pair of goals and provided an assist on another.
His two-goal outing joins him with Tobias Solem Karlsen and Tom Read in having multiple-goal showings in the last three season-opening wins. Karlsen scored four in 2019 and two in 2018. Read netted a pair in 2017.
Both sides struggled to find a solid offense through the first 45 minutes with the soggy conditions. Despite that, C-N still led the shooting output in the first half, 6-2, both teams landing a shot on goal.
Belmont Abbey broke a scoreless tie in the 51st minute on a strike from Davis McBee from just inside the top right side of the 18-yard box.
C-N found an answer in the 67th minute deep inside the box from Öhrwall. A play inside to Greg Evans (Wrexham, Wales) sent a look over to the freshman that he sent straight at Crusader keeper Noah Stanger that bounced back, just in front of an open Öhrwall. A quick run forward with three Crusaders behind him allowed Öhrwall to send another shot past Stanger to make it 1-1.
Just over two minutes later, Thaylan Silva (São Paulo, Brazil) lined up for the third penalty kick of his career. He was successful, giving C-N a 2-1 lead in the 68th minute.
With the PK, the senior moves into a tie for second on the PKs made in a career list for C-N with three. He is also tied for fifth on PK attempts in a career.
Harry Whitehead (Oxford, England) added onto the Orange and Blue lead in the 77th minute with an assist from Öhrwall. A little over three minutes after that, Öhrwall added onto his goal total with the final goal of the match in the 81st minute.
C-N tripled Belmont Abbey in total shooting on the day with nine of its 19 shots landing on goal compared to a trio of the Crusaders six shots.
In net, Bram Kaarsgaren (Den Bosch, The Netherlands) was called upon for just a pair of saves, the fewest saves the junior has made in a win since needing to make one save at Mars Hill on Oct. 16, 2019. On the other side of the pitch, C-N forced Stanger to make five saves.
Carson-Newman stays on the road for another non-conference match, this time staying within the Volunteer State for a midweek meeting at Lee. That match is slated to begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday from Cleveland, Tenn.
