MEN'S SOCCER: GETTING UP OFF THE DECK

CU GOES THE DISTANCE WITH #20 WV WESLEYAN

Andy Gonet Battles 314 x 232
In boxing terms, Concord's Men's Soccer team delivered a quick jab to a heavyweight opponent, withstood a knockdown flurry of counter-punches and showed it could stay in the ring until the final bell.

The Mountain Lions suffered a 5-3 loss to West Virginia Wesleyan in a conference match at Anderson Field on Wednesday afternoon, but proved they could play with one of the best teams in the country. The Bobcats went into the match as a co-favorite to win the WVIAC and ranked #20 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's latest Division II national poll.

Concord surprised the Bobcats with a goal just :42 after kickoff, as All-WVIAC midfielder Ivan Deyanov scored, unassisted, off a throw-in.
But it didn't take long for Wesleyan to respond. Paul Riesthuis scored in the 12th minute to square the match, and WVWC staggered the Mountain Lions with a flurry of three unassisted goals in less than nine minutes just before halftime. Jacob Maitland got the first two – in the 31st and 32nd minutes, respectively – and Daniel Smee scored the third, in the 39th minute.

Ivan Deyanov PK 284 x 235
The three-punch combination gave Wesleyan a 4-1 lead it would maintain until the 61st minute, when Deyanov was fouled in the 18-yard box and scored on the subsequent penalty kick (left).

The PK revitalized the Mountain Lions, who drew within 4-3 on Lucas Lemine's goal in the 69th minute.

CU kept jabbing, but couldn't get the equalizer, and the comeback hopes faded when the Bobcats' Matthew Brown scored an unassisted goal with precisely nine minutes left in regulation.

The contentious, physical contest produced a combined six yellow cards and 26 fouls.

Up next for Concord is a WVIAC match against Pitt-Johnstown on Saturday, September 14 at Anderson Field. The game, part of a doubleheader with the CU women's team, is scheduled to kickoff at 2:00 pm and admission is free.

(statistics provided by SID GA Becky Brouse)


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