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Trojans Top Newberry in Thrilling Season Opener

Trojans Top Newberry in Thrilling Season Opener

NEWBERRY, S.C. -- Anderson sophomore Mark Smith scored the game-winning goal from the left side just outside the box off an assist from teammate Zeron Forte early in the second overtime frame as the Anderson mens soccer team rallied past Newberry, 3-2, in non-conference action Thursday afternoon at the Newberry Soccer Complex. Smiths heroics came after both teams battled on even terms on the scoreboard through the first 102 minutes of action on the pitch. The Trojans, who enjoyed a 29-12 shot advantage on the afternoon, kept the offensive pressure on the home team, especially during the extra frames. "It was good to go on the road and get a win," said Anderson head coach Rob Miller. "We didn't give up and fought throughout the entire match. We're excited about the win." In the season-opener for both teams, Anderson (1-0-0) threatened early, but sophomore Ryan Messick's header inside the seven-minute mark was blocked following a corner kick from teammate Zack Denson. The host team answered less than four minutes later with two shots inside a 20-second span, but both attempts were turned away by the AU defense. However, Newberry senior Ben Mottel found the back of the net at the 13:17 mark off a throw-in from freshman Colt Priest, giving NC the early 1-0 advantage. The Black and Gold out-shot Newberry, 13-5, in the opening frame but were unable to capitalize on their offensive advantage until sophomore Lasse Sohrweide notched the first of his two unassisted goals in the 52nd minute of action, briefly tying the score at 1-1. Newberry regained the lead just two minutes later, as junior Marvin Torvick squeezed a shot past AU keeper Benjamin Pepion. Anderson refused to surrender, as Sohrweide knotted the score for the second time of the afternoon with just under 23 minutes left in regulation. Both teams had scoring opportunities in the final minutes of regulation, with Benjamin Pepion posting a save off NC's Adrian Ochoa's shot at the 82:53 mark and the Trojans' Sohrweide misfired on a penalty kick inside the four-minute mark, got the rebound and fired left of the post. The AU defense also came away with a block on the potential game-winner by Newberry's Torvic with less than 30 seconds to play. "We struggled a little in the first half but stayed with it and showed a lot of heart," added Miller. Sohrweide's two goals were a match-high and his seven shots were also tops on the afternoon, while Smith's score was the first game-winner of his brief AU career. Pepion played the entire match between the pipes, collecting his first win of the 2009 campaign. Francisco Espinoza recorded a team-high four shots, including two on goal, for Newberry. Anderson has now claimed two wins in the last three meetings between the two schools, claiming a 4-3 home win past NC last season and fell, 6-2, at Newberry in 2007. The Trojans return to the pitch for their home-opener when they play host to Mars Hill on Saturday. Kick-off is slated for 7 p.m. at Smethers Field on the campus of Anderson University.

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