Emmanuel College Sports Information Department

FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga.– The Emmanuel Soccer Lions faced off against the Crusaders of Belmont Abbey College on Saturday night in search of their second conference victory.

The Lions started slow and struggled to make an impact on the game early on. They eventually found their rhythm when Morgan Anders ripped two shots from outside the box but they were matched by two excellent saves by the Crusaders goalkeeper.

Belmont Abbey also had a chance to score via a corner kick which bounced awkwardly in the box, but freshmen defender Sam Mutton was at hand to clear the danger. The teams would go into the half scoreless.

Emmanuel started the second half better, but they were unable to muster up any quality scoring chances. The deadlock was eventually broken in the 76th minute when Emmanuel failed to clear their lines on a defensive corner, and Crusaders player Mohamed Balde was free to head in the goal.

Emmanuel pressed late on for the equalizer, and had several chances to tie the game up, the best chance fell to sophomore forward Nick Miller but his shot was well saved by the Crusaders goalkeeper. The game finished 1-0 in favor of the travelling Belmont Abbey which evens their Conference Carolinas mark to 1-1 while improving to 2-3-2 overall. Emmanuel falls to 2-3-2 overall and 1-2-0 in league play.

The Emmanuel Soccer Lions will be hoping to bounce back on Tuesday as they travel to North Carolina to take on Brevard College in a non-conference match up with kick off slated for 3:30pm.