PEMBROKE, N.C. - UNC Pembroke's Sean Hoek notched the match's lone goal in the sixth minute of action to lift the Braves past Anderson, 1-0, in men's soccer action Saturday night at Varsity Grounds.
UNC Pembroke improved to 2-0 on the season after topping Mount Olive two nights ago, while Anderson, which was ranked 24th nationally in the preseason, slipped to 0-1.
Hoek's game-winner, his third goal of the season, was a header from close range at the 5:49 mark. AU's Stefan Veljovic recorded a shot less than five minutes later, but Braves' net-minder Ryan Hanson notched the save.
The Trojans fired three more attempts in the first half but were unable to find the back of the net.
Anderson nearly evened the score in the 88th minute on a shot by newcomer Lars Zimmerman, but his second attempt of the night was blocked.
UNC Pembroke outshot the Trojans, 20-10, on the night and held a 9-4 advantage in corner kicks. Sophomore Tapiwa Munetsi and freshmen Felix Helgesson and Zimmerman each recorded two shots on the night, while senior keeper Lukas Hesse went the distance between the pipes for the Trojans. The native of Berlin, Germany recorded 11 saves on the night, but suffered the loss.
Anderson returns to action on Tuesday, when the Trojans play
host to rival Erskine with kickoff slated for 4 p.m. at Trojan
Stadium. AU will be looking to avenge a 2-0 setback at the hands
of the Flying Fleet last October.
