SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Led by two goals from senior forward Andre Carle, Anderson University men's soccer prevented a comeback bid from Carson-Newman, as the Trojans knocked off the Eagles, 3-2, in South Atlantic Conference action on Saturday at the Upward Star Center.
The victory gives AU its second triumph in its last three matches and improves its overall record to an even 4-4-1 with a 3-2 mark in SAC play. Carson-Newman, which was slotted seventh in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America Southeast Region Poll, falls to 6-2-1 for the year with an identical 3-2 record for the conference.
The Eagles won the shot battle, 13-9, as they found the goal column first in the 16th minute when Tom Read sent a free kick into the Trojan box. After the ball bounced around in the mixer, it fell behind Sindre Welo who used a bicycle kick to push a shot past Anderson goalkeeper Devon Ashy. The goal was Welo's third of the season and handed C-N a 1-0 advantage.
In the 33rd minute, Lars Kaula found an open Carle, who made a long run down the left side of the pitch. Carle streaked past multiple defenders and beat Eagle goalkeeper Kavi Luchowa for his first goal since AU's season opener on Sept. 3.
Kaula found the goal column in the 37th minute when the Trojans were awarded a penalty kick due to a handball committed inside the C-N box. Kaula chose the left side and handed the Black and Gold their eventual game-winning goal.
Seconds before the halftime horn, Carle provided insurance for Anderson when teammate Brad Du Plooy sent a through ball to the striker. With the ball at his feet, Carle beat Luchowa for the second time and tallied his third goal of the season.
In the second half, Carson-Newman tried to fight itself back into the contest, as forward Polyminos Avgousti sent a one-timer into the back of the net following a Bruno Andrade corner kick. The goal was Avgousti's second of the season and moved the score to 3-2 in the 74th minute.
The Trojan backline saw three Eagle shots for the remainder of the match, but C-N could not find its equalizer. Ashy closed the match with four saves, headlined by a key 80th minute save to preserve the victory.
Anderson returns to Trojan Stadium on Wednesday when it plays host to in-state rival Newberry. Kick-off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
