VIDEO: Richard Moodie Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn – On a day that served as both Senior Day and the regular season finale for the Carson-Newman men's soccer team, the Eagles fell, 3-1, to the Coker Cobras at McCown Field on Saturday afternoon.
"It's a great group," coach Richard Moodie said. "I feel bad for them in a way. I just don't think it was good enough from us this year. We worked hard as a coaching staff. I think we maybe got the recruiting wrong, but these guys have given us everything and worked hard. We're thankful to them and their families for trusting us as a staff and a university to educate them on the field, off the field, in the classroom and in everyday life and hopefully they've learned a few things they can take forward."
The Eagles finish the season at 7-10 and 3-8 in the SAC. Coker improves to 7-7-1 and 4-6 in conference play. They will move on to play in the SAC tournament.
The first goal of the match came in the 11th minute, as a Carson-Newman own goal put the Cobras in the lead. The Eagles were in possession on the back line when Sam Jenkins (Bicester, England) fed the ball back to goalkeeper Aaron Zavolokin (Sydney, Australia). A misplay by the goalie allowed the ball to roll into C-N's net, making the score 1-0.
Coker added to their advantage in the 37th minute off a free kick. Zavolokin fielded a ball with his hands that was played back to him by the feet of Poly Avgousti (Paphos, Cyprus) and the subsequent set piece was converted by Mads Aagurd into his second goal of the season.
The Eagles refused to roll over, however, and brought themselves to within a goal in the 53rd minute. They took advantage of a corner, with Dion Stergiotis (Oakville, Ontario) finding Steven Parry (Boulogne-Billancourt, France) at the front post and the sophomore headed the ball into the back of the net for his third score of 2016. Coach Moodie's team continued to press for the equalizer and they nearly had it in the 60th minute when Stergiotis received a pass inside the 18-yard box and fired a shot on net, but Justin Walker was on the spot for the save.
Coker moved back in front by two in the 62nd minute. After another save by Walker, he tossed the ball to Alvaro Urena. The junior played a long pass ahead that Alvaro Urena was able to run down and he beat Zavolokin with a right footed shot to make the score 3-1.
C-N continued trying to find a goal as game wound down and they outshot the visitors, 18-14, but were unable to move any closer.
-CN-
