NEWBERRY, S.C. - After facing a 1-0 deficit early in the second half, Anderson University scored twice in the final 33 minutes to complete the comeback and defeat Newberry, 2-1, in South Atlantic Conference action Wednesday afternoon at the Smith Road Complex.
The victory makes it two straight for the Trojans, as they even up their overall record to 5-5 on the season and improve to a 4-2 mark in league play. The Wolves fall to 4-6-1 overall and 2-3-1 for the conference.
After a scoreless opening half, the home side broke the scoring drought when Newberry attacker Paul Marie found the ball at his feet after it was bouncing around the AU box. Marie fired a shot into the back of the net for his third goal of the season and gave the Wolves a 1-0 lead in the 54th minute.
Just over four minutes later, Anderson was on the attacking end before a pass was played towards the Newberry goal. The Wolves tried to clear the ball over the goal, but the ball was mis-hit and put into the NC goal for an own goal, evening the scoreline. It was the first own goal to go in favor of the Trojans since Oct. 9, 2011 when a Mars Hill miscue proved to the difference in a 1-0 win for the Black and Gold.
With the match all square at 1-1, freshman Magnus Larsen found himself as the hero for the third time this season as she fired a shot past NC goalkeeper Nick Lucido for the game-winner in the 72nd minute. The goal was Larsen's third of the season, as every goal he has tallied during his collegiate career has been a game-winner, thus far.
The Wolves managed just one shot for the remaining 17 minutes as the Anderson backline and goalkeeper Bo Haug held the Newberry offense from earning an equalizer. Haug picked up his fifth win of the season, as he made four stops between the AU posts for the afternoon. On the opposite side of the field, Lucido totaled a match-high five saves on the day.
Anderson won the shot battle, totaling six shots in each half, while the Wolves managed nine for the contest. Forward Andre Carle and midfielder Martin Brain each notched three shots apiece, while the tandem troubled Lucido once. Larsen followed the attacking duo with two shots with both coming on goal.
The Trojans look to continue their winning streak on Friday when they welcome Lenoir-Rhyne to the Electric City for a SAC showdown. Kickoff from Trojan Stadium is slated for 4:30 p.m.
