Wednesday, September 29, 2004

MARS HILL, N.C. --- The Tusculum College men’s soccer team shutout host Mars Hill College Wednesday night at Meares Stadium. The Pioneers are ranked eighth in the latest NSCAA/adidas Coaches poll. The Pioneers are also ranked second in the Appalachian Region. Mars Hill fell to 0-2 in the SAC and 2-7 overall. TC improved to 8-0 overall and 3-0 in league play. (Box Score)

The first half was scoreless as both team’s defenses played extremely well. Jonathan Adams (Tampa, Fla.), who saw his first action in goal for the Lions this season, played a great game in the net. He made five saves in the first half and three saves in the second period.

Paul Hopkins (Portsmouth, England) scored the first and what proved to be the match-winning goal at the 55:28 mark off a rebound. Andre Nesfield (Arima, Trinidad) scored the Pioneers second goal in the 61^st minute on a unassisted breakaway. Kohei Yamashita (Tokyo, Japan) ended the scoring connecting on a cross from Tony Prisco (Woodbridge, Va.) in the 75^th minute.

J.P. Swaminathan (Brampton, Ontario, Canada) played all 90 minutes in goal for Tusculum making three saves facing 12 shots by the Lions. Adams made a total of five saves facing 20 shots in the contest.

Mars Hill will play at North Greenville College on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. Tusculum will host Wingate University at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday.