JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn.- A first half offensive outburst and strong defensive second half allowed Carson-Newman (5-1-4, 3-0-3) to beat #14 Mars Hill (5-2-1, 2-1-1) Wednesday night at McCown field, 3-2.
"I think the guys can take a lot from this win," Carson-Newman head coach Stephen Lyons said. "In the first half, we moved the ball well across the back, had good opportunities to break lines, and I thought our final balls were in very dangerous areas and we were clinical. Definitely a lot of positives, there are still areas we know we need to improve on. But, against a top team to get a big win at home, is very nice."
C-N extends its unbeaten streak against ranked opponents at home to eight games. It's now back-to-back seasons in which the Eagles have defeated a ranked opponent at McCown field.
The win also extends C-N's unbeaten streak in September to twelve games and six this season.
The Eagles now move into sole possession of second place with twelve points, trailing Limestone by just one.
C-N got the scoring started in the 10th minute, as senior Tim Vercelli finished what was an excellent cross from fellow senior Willem Kruijk to put C-N ahead 1-0. The goal broke a streak of three straight shutouts for Mars Hill.
Mars Hill answered in the 25th minute, as goalkeeper Brennen Whalen sent a free kick across midfield, where Muhammed Bilal made one touch froward to the SAC's top scorer Peter Plougmand who slotted a shot in the bottom right corner to level the match at 1.
Just four minutes went by before the Eagles regained the lead, senior Nic Carsh headed home a cross from Willem Kruijk to make it 2-1. The assist was Kruijk's second of the match at fourth of the year.
The Eagles continued force the issue forward and once again it was another cross. This cross came from senior Niels Buurman who found fellow senior Harry Whitehead who headed the cross home for his first goal of the year to put the Eagles ahead 3-1. Whitehead becomes the eleventh different Eagle to score this season.
The Lions took advantage of a miscue in the final minute of the first half. A free kick was sent into the box, where C-N goalkeeper Darin De Meza had a mistouch and let the ball roam free to Braxton Robinson who pounced on the loose ball and shot it in the bottom right corner to cut the C-N lead in half, heading into intermission.
The second half was a complete 360 from the first half. The Eagles defense held Mars Hill to just three shots in the second half. C-N's defense also limited the SAC's leading goal, Plougmand scorer to just two shots.
C-N kept up the pressure in the second half, as it recorded seven shots. The Eagles also had ten corner kicks in the second half, the most in any half this season.
De Meza made three saves this evening, two of which came in the first half.
C-N returns to action Saturday evening for a 5:00 start against Newberry. The game will serve as the Eagles senior day.
