Lions down undefeated Crusaders on road, 2-1

BELMONT, N.C. - The Mars Hill Lions picked up a key non-conference win against an undefeated Belmont Abbey team on the road Saturday evening.  Goals by Stian Sanner and Kyle Dix led the Lions to their second victory of the season.  

Sanner's second of the year opened up the scoring in the 22' minute.  A pass from Oscar Mitchell allowed Sanner to pop the ball over the Crusaders' goalkeeper, Wes Holifield, and put the Lions up 1-0 early in the contest.

Dix provided the game-winning marker by heading the ball behind Holifield in the 67' minute.  Derek Kaple received the assist from his corner kick.

Belmont Abbey would strike in the dying seconds of the contest to cut the lead in half.  Harrison Clark broke up Ben Lucas' shutout bid by burying a shot in the top left corner for his first goal of the season.

Lucas made eight stops on nine shots to earn his second victory of the 2017 campaign.  Holifield suffered his first defeat, allowing two goals on three shots.

The Crusaders entered the contest 4-0, defeating SAC opponents such as Newberry and Catawba, each by a score of 4-0.  The Lions were the first team this season to hold Belmont Abbey below three goals in a match.  Mars Hill improves to 2-4-1 (1-1-1 SAC).

Mars Hill returns to conference action when they host Coker on Wednesday, September 27 at the Ammons Family Athletic Center and Meares Stadium.  The contest is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start.