HICKORY, N.C. – Despite falling behind, 1-0, in the first half, the Anderson University men's soccer team rallied for three second half goals to defeat No. 3 Lenoir-Rhyne, 3-2 on Tuesday evening at the Moretz Sports-Athletic Complex.
With the victory, the Trojans improve to 9-7-1 overall while advancing to the SAC Tournament semifinals for the first time since the 2013 season. The Bears will wait to learn their NCAA Tournament fate on Monday, as they end their SAC Tournament run with a 10-3-3 overall record.
Lenoir-Rhyne struck first in the 25th minute of action when Marc Fernandez scored his third goal of the season.
Anderson answered back with two quick goals in the 61st and 63rd minute of play. AU sophomore Colin Burris headed in this third goal of the season to knot the match up at 1-1. Just under three minutes later, senior Josh Calabria gave the Trojans the lead scoring his fifth goal of the year.
The Bears were able to score the equalizer on a made penalty kick by L-R's Florina Simon in the 66th minute.
The Black and Gold was awarded a penalty kick in the 72nd minute which senior Lars Kaula drilled the shot into the top left corner to give the Trojans the, 3-2 lead. The eventual game-winner was Kaula's second goal of the season.
Lenoir-Rhyne outshot Anderson 28 (11) – 13 (9) while holding a 10-7 advantage in corner kicks.
Anderson freshman keeper Gal Elyashiv tallied nine saves on the evening running his season save total to 60.
The Trojans will face No. 7 Queens who pulled off the upset over No. 2 Carson-Newman. The semifinal matchup is slated for 1:30 p.m. on Friday at Rock Hill's Manchester Meadows.
