HARROGATE, Tenn. – Heading on the road as the fifth-seed for the South Atlantic Conference men's soccer tournament, the Anderson University (7-6-3, 5-4-3 SAC) men's soccer team dropped their quarterfinal match-up to Lincoln Memorial 3-1 on Saturday, November 4.
Junior Diego Jaramillo (Valle del Cauca, Columbia) notched the only goal for the Trojans in the contest while record two shots in the match. Freshman Julian Caro Sepulveda (Slovakia, Colombia) recorded an assist. Sophomore Juan Jose Alvarez (Santiago, Chile) and freshman Ivan Cardona (Cali, Colombia) each recorded a pair of shots on the day as well. Sophomore Franco Antoniolli Funes (Cordoba, Argentina) made four saves in the match.
The teams wasted no time getting points on the scoreboard as the Railsplitters recorded a goal in the sixth minute to take the early lead in the contest. However, that lead did not last long as the Trojans were able to capitalize on the next shot of the contest as Caro Sepulveda was able to find Jaramillo to bring the match level back at one goal each in the 10th minute. Lincoln Memorial was able to score just over five minutes later as they were able to retake their advantage at 2-1 in the 16th, a lead they would carry into the halftime break, despite a pair of shots by the Trojans, each that required the LMU keeper to make a save.
All the offense fell on the LMU side of the stat sheet in the opening portion of the second half as they were able to record multiple shots before the Trojans were able to record their first of the frame in the 70th minute. Anderson was able to force the LMU keeper to go to work again in the 82nd and 89th minute, with the second proving to be the dagger for the Trojans as after he made the save the Railsplitters took advantage of the counterattack and increased their lead to the final 3-1 margin.
The Trojans wrap up their 2023 campaign with a 7-6-3 record and a fifth-place finish in the conference standings. All-Conference teams will be announced next week.
