DUE WEST, S.C. - Falling behind in the opening 15 minutes, the Anderson University men's soccer team conducted a quick comeback with two first-half goals en route to a 6-2 victory over Erskine at Huggins Field on Thursday.
The first action for the highly anticipated incoming class did not disappoint, as all six goals were tallied by newcomers to the roster. Headlined by junior Andre Carle's hat trick, freshmen Paul von Hinueber, Luke Jones, and sophomore Henrique Gazzi all tallied goals. The new additions mixed well with the experienced players as senior Mattias Schyberg added three assists on the night. Gazzi also notched an assist on Carle's final goal of the night. With the win, the Trojans break a two-year winless drought with the Flying Fleet.
"The score is not an indication on how the game was played," head coach John Murphy said. "Erskine's goalkeeper was influential and it was unfortunate he went out on a 50/50 ball. There are things we need to work on and improve but I'm happy for the guys and happy to contribute to the Beville Cup."
Despite the victory, the match got off to slow start as Erskine's attack put AU on its heels. In the opening 15 minutes, EU had outshot the Trojans 4-1, highlighted by a Victor Nirennold goal to give the Fleet a 1-0 lead.
The youthful Trojan lineup bounced back quickly, as von Hinueber got AU on the scoreboard in the 24th minute, firing a shot over goalkeeper Roberto De La Vina's head for Anderson's first goal of the season.
The Trojans continued to add pressure before halftime as Carle joined von Hinueber as newcomers to find the scoresheet. The Normanhurt, Australia native received an aerial pass from Schyberg and headed in Anderson's second goal of the night in the 34th minute. The goal would be the final tally of the opening half.
In the second half, the Anderson attack, led by Carle, continued its success. Carle got a clear run on the EC defense in the 59th minute and notched his second goal of the night to give AU a solid 3-1 lead.
With Erskine grabbing its second goal in the 67th minute bringing the score to 3-2, Carle once again gave the Trojans some breathing room on a header from Henrique Gazzi. Gazzi would eventually add a goal to give him three points on the night.
Jones, a native of Belton, S.C., added his first career goal in the 77th minute, as Schyberg added his third assist of the night. Classmate Bo Hoag earned his first win of his career between the pipes, as the Stuttgart, Germany native tallied six saves.
With the victory over its arch rival, AU receives its first point of the 2013-14 athletic season in The Beville Cup. Anderson looks to retain the cup after winning the coveted trophy last season by an overall score of 9.25-6.25.
The Trojans continue their road stint with a Sunday showdown at Mount Olive. Kickoff from the Tar Heel state is set for 1 p.m.
