Men's Soccer Denied Upset of No. 7 Tusculum

GREENEVILLE, TENN. – The Mars Hill men's soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision to nationally seventh-ranked Tusculum College on Friday, October 14 at Pioneer Field. The Lions fall to 5-8 overall and 3-5 in the league, while the Pioneers improve to 12-0 overall and 7-0 in the SAC.

Neither team could get anything offensive momentum established throughout the majority of the contest. Mars Hill was presented with two opportunities to break the scoreless deadlock late in the first half, but shots from Stian Sanner in the 34^th minute and Amine Merdjett in the 40^th minute were denied by the Pioneer keeper. Tusculum had a chance in the 42^nd minute, but Kristopher Wennin answered the call with a save of his own.

The second half mirrored the first with both teams continuing the defensive showcase. However, that would change in the 77^th minute. Following a foul in the box by the Lions, Tusculum's Guillermo Lazcano stepped-up and drilled the penalty kick into the back of the cage to break the tie. The Pioneers added an insurance goal in the 86^th minute to make the score 2-0.

That goal would prove to be the game winner as Franck Lannaud put the Lions on the board in the 90^th minute with his fifth goal of the season. Adnan Saltagic sent a corner into the box and Lannaud knocked it past the keeper. However, it was too little, too late as TC captured the 2-1 win.

Wennin played all 90 minutes in goal, collecting three saves, while Lannaud paced the Lions with two shots.

The Lions will return to action on Wednesday, October 19, playing host to Lincoln Memorial. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Meares Stadium.