Box Score

HICKORY, NC – The North Georgia men’s soccer team played to a scoreless intermission Wednesday evening, but Lenoir-Rhyne came out firing in the second period to come away with a 2-1 victory over the Saints in non-conference action.

North Georgia drops their second straight game and fall to 2-3 on the year, while Lenoir-Rhyne improves to 2-2 on the season.

With the game still scoreless heading into the 70th minute, the Bears came alive, using a pair of headers less than two minutes apart to snag a 2-0 lead over the Saints. Dave Bailey recorded both goals for L-R, now leading the squad with four scores on the season.

The North Georgia goal came in the 79th minute as Ben Chedgy used a free kick from 40 yards out following an L-R foul to put the Saints on the board. The serve in the box was misplayed as the ball bounced past the L-R keeper and just over the line to cut the Bears’ lead in half with 11 minutes remaining in the contest.

The Bears held on as they broke up any chance for a late rally from the Saints.  Francisco Banuelos had three saves in the victory for L-R, while North Georgia goalkeeper Sean Durkan had six saves in the loss.

In the physical match, L-R committed 16 fouls to North Georgia’s 11, as the battle was contained to the middle of the field for the majority of the game.

North Georgia returns to action on Saturday afternoon, opening Peach Belt Conference play on the campus of USC Aiken. The all-important league-opener is set for 6:00 p.m. at the Pacer Pit.