Greeneville, Tenn. – No. 5 Anderson University men's soccer exploded for three second half goals to oust No. 4 Tusculum who was the 2018 South Atlantic Conference Tournament Champion, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon at Pioneer Field.
With the victory, the Trojans move to 11-5-1 overall, advancing to the SAC Championship semifinal match on Friday.
After a scoreless 68 minutes of action, Anderson's Daniel Heinrich collected a loose ball and drilled his shot past the keeper into the near post to give the Black and Gold a 1-0 lead. Heinrich's goal was his first of the season.
Tusculum wasted no time to score the equalizer when Luke Murphy was served a cross on a break-a-way, chipping it in past AU's Gal Elyashiv in the 70th minute of play.
The Black and Gold scored the game-winner in the 74th minute on a long pass by Martin Carpena to senior Myles Duncan. Duncan beat the defender to the ball and punched it past the keeper for the game-winner and his first goal of the season.
Anderson's Colin Burris sealed the match with a blast from 25 yards out. Burris's goal was assisted by junior Alexander Cox-Ashwood.
Anderson and Tusculum equaled total shots with 10, with the Trojans being on target seven times and the Pioneers four. Tusculum won the corner kick advantage, 5-4.
BETWEEN THE POSTS
Anderson's Gal Elyashiv was credited with two saves on the afternoon.
Tusculum's Sam Gilbert recorded four saves on the day.
COACHES CORNER
"Really proud of the team and their efforts today, said head coach Michael Zion. "Going into the match we knew we would need some big moments to get past Tusculum and the team delivered…on to the semi finals!"
NEXT UP
No. 5 Anderson will face No. 8 Coker in the SAC Championship match on Friday. Kick-off is slated for 11 a.m. at Sportsplex at Matthews in Matthews, N.C.
SAC Championship
Friday, Nov. 15 (Sportsplex at Matthews, Mathews, N.C.)
Game 5: Anderson vs. Coker, 11 a.m.
Game 6: Queens vs. Wingate, 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 17 (Sportsplex at Matthews, Mathews, N.C.)
Game 7: winner game 5 vs. winner game 6, 1:00 p.m.
