PORTSMOUTH, Ohio – The Concord University men's soccer team bounced back with a 2-1 victory over Shawnee State to round out regular season play at the Shawnee Turf in a Mountain East Conference game Wednesday night.
 
No. 19 Concord (12-3-2, 11-2 MEC) were challenged by Shawnee State (3-12-2, 2-10-1 MEC), but managed to outlast the Bears on the road thanks to a game-winning goal in the 74^th minute by senior defender Zakari Messam.
 
The MEC South meeting felt like it was bound to head into halftime scoreless until freshman defender Khotatso Balepile made a brilliant run into the box and put it past the SSU keeper for his first collegiate goal in the 40^th minute.
 
Freshman defender Ricardo Kabawanga and sophomore midfielder Koya Nakamura provided the assist on the opening goal.
 
Shawnee State got it right back level after halftime with a 47th minute goal.
 
The next segment of the match continued to drag on with Concord controlling things but unable to find a second goal.
 
But, Messam broke through with his first goal of the season to put the Mountain Lions back in front in the 74th minute. Junior defender Ben Musengo whipped in the corner to aid in Messam's goal.
 
The rest of the match saw CU drop back and cling to the one-goal lead which they were able to successfully do.
 
The Mountain Lions amassed 18 shots, 10 shots on goal while only allowing three total shots from SSU. The Mountain Lions took a season-high 12 corner kicks.
 
CU's shots leaders came off the bench with Kabawanga recording four shots, and Nakamura tallying three attempts.
 
Concord hosts Point Park in the opening round of the MEC Tournament on Sunday inside Callaghan Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 6:00 p.m.