Mars Hill defeats Emmanuel for second straight win
The Mars Hill men’s soccer team improved to 2-0-0 on the season with a 2-1 victory against Emmanuel (0-2-0) Sunday afternoon.
MARS HILL, N.C. – The Mars Hill men's soccer team improved to 2-0-0 on the season with a 2-1 victory against Emmanuel (0-2-0) Sunday afternoon.
With the game tied at one heading into the 63rd minute, a goal from Joakim Lien proved to be the game-winning tally in the second half. Just three minutes after Emmanuel tied the contest, Lien received an aerial pass and drove by two defenders, tucking the ball low and underneath the diving goalkeeper to regain the Mars Hill lead.
In the 28th minute, an errant clearing attempt from Emmanuel goalkeeper Kenneth Vining trickled towards the oncoming Sebastian Bertilsson. The sophomore forward blasted the ball under the left arm of Vining, low and inside the left post to put the Lions up 1-0 in the first half.
With 16:34 on the clock in the opening frame, the game was delayed for over an hour and a half due to lightning.
"Battling the extra minutes from Thursday as well as the weather delay, along with the temperature today tested the boys mentally," head coach Gregg Munn said after the game. "They fought it out and found a way."
The Lions of Emmanuel would tie the game 15 minutes into the second half with a goal from Channing Park. A quick passing play from Deibyd Contreras led to Park's opportunity that was shot past Brian Salzman inside the left post.
Salzman stood out once more on the afternoon, making seven saves in the contest to earn his second win on the year.
"Proud of the guys' efforts today to battle with Emmanuel and earn a good home result," Munn added. "We'll keep learning and continue to move forward."
The Lions hit the road for their first away contest of 2018 on Wednesday, September 5 when they travel to Banner Elk to take on Lees-McRae. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.
