NEWBERRY, S.C. - A balanced offensive attack and another strong defensive effort lifted the Anderson men's soccer team to a 3-1 win past South Atlantic Conference-foe Newberry Wednesday afternoon at the Newberry Soccer Field.
Making a push to finish in the top four and host the first round of the conference tournament, Anderson (10-4-1, 5-2 SAC) extended its win streak to six matches, equaling last season's streak that began the season. The Trojan offense has averaged more than five goals per contest over the last five matches, while the defense has posted shutouts in three of the five outings, allowing just three total goals.
Newberry slipped to 1-11-2 overall and 0-6-1 in the league and has dropped seven in a row while searching for its first home win of the season.
Junior forward Lasse Sohrweide gave the Trojans an early 1-0 lead, taking a feed from Ryan Messick in the 10th minute of action and finding the back of the net with his ninth score of the season.
Just more than a minute later, senior Zach Denson notched the game-winner, his first of the season, off a corner kick from Adrien Moufflet at the 10:20 mark. Sophomore forward Clement Samson closed out the scoring spree with his team-leading 11th goal of the season in the 29th minute by chipping a shot over the Newberry goalkeeper, with Aldo Lopez-Gil recording his second assist of the season.
The Wolves' Joao Delgado brought NC within two at the 34:01 mark by posting his third score of the year, but the AU defense held Newberry to three shots in the second half to secure the win.
The Trojans held a commanding 23-8 advantage in shots and a 10-1 edge in corner kicks on the afternoon, with sophomore Lukas Hesse and senior Benjamin Pepion splitting time between the pipes for AU and combining for three saves.
Anderson closes out its home schedule in a Homecoming clash with Lincoln Memorial on Saturday. The Trojans and Railsplitters are currently tied for fourth in the league standings, which has consequences because the top four teams host the opening round of the SAC tournament that begins on Wednesday, Nov. 3. Kick-off for Senior Day is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Trojan Stadium.
