VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. – Carson-Newman men's soccer (1-0-0) scored twice in three minutes and used stellar defending to defeat West Alabama (0-1-0) for the second straight year in the season opener, winning 2-0.
"Very good result on the road today against a tough West Alabama team," Carson-Newman head coach Stephen Lyons said. "Had some good spells and weathered a number of moments where West Alabama looked dangerous. 2 very good goals early in the second half ultimately decided the game along with a great performance from Federico (Simonetti) and the lads to keep a clean sheet. We need to rest up and get ready to go again Saturday against Spring Hill."
The Eagles remain unbeaten in season openers under Lyons, improving to 6-0-1, and now have won ten of their last eleven openers.
C-N's defense was tested early and often in the season opener. Graduate student Federico Simonetti (Crema, Italy) made six first half saves to keep the match scoreless at half. Four of those saves came in the first 25 minutes of action.
Simonetti made back-to-back saves in a matter of seconds on a pair of close chances from Baronyi Kengeye and Bailey Jefferies.
Despite just three shots in the opening 45 minutes, the Eagles came out firing in half number two. Thomas De Graauw (Hoofddorp, Netherlands) crossed a ball into the box that was headed on by Harry Whitehead (Oxford, England) to put C-N ahead 1-0.
Just three minutes later, junior Mitchell Honcoop (Nieuw-Vennep, Netherlands) scored to give the Eagles an insurance goal.
C-N threatened for two more in the next two minutes, but the UWA goalkeeper was able to make a pair of saves.
Simonetti made his final save of the match in the 60th minute on a shot attempt from Yannick Pohland. The Eagles defense only allowed five shots in the final 30 minutes, none of which found the target.
Simonetti finished the contest with nine saves, the most since Bram Kaarsgaren made nine in a loss to Anderson. on Oct 9th, 2021.
Whitehead's goal gives him 14 now in his C-N career. He led the Eagles with four shots.
De Graaw, Honcoop, and Ben Dukes (Southampton, England) each recorded two shots as well.
Seven different Eagles played the full 90 minutes.
Tigers' goalkeeper Lasse Schwieren made four saves in a losing effort.
For the second straight season, West Alabama and Carson-Newman combined for more fouls (34) than shots (28), easily surpassing last year's marks. After 14 different cards were handed out last season, only five were given in this year's matchup, including a 62nd red card on UWA's David Nunez.
C-N was outshot 17-11 and 9-6 on goal. The two clubs each managed four corner kick opportunities in the match.
The Eagles conclude their road trip with a visit to Spring Hill on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m.
