Due West, SC – Southern Wesleyan claimed not only their first win of the season, but their first Conference Carolinas victory as they defeated the Erskine Flying Fleet in a 2-1 final on Tuesday evening.
The Warriors collected 11 shots and five shots on goal in their first win of the season.
Hykeem Martin led the team with five shots and two shots on goal. He was followed by three Warriors with solo shots on goal. Martin and
Diego Hernandez both recorded goals.
Zachary Hurst had the lone assist of the afternoon. Both the Warriors and the Flying Fleet had three corner kicks.
Bryson Dodd played all ninety minutes in goal for the Warriors, collecting two saves.
Game Vitals
Final: Southern Wesleyan 2, Erskine 1
Records: Southern Wesleyan (1-4 / CC 1-2) Erskine (0-6 / CC 0-1)
Coach Quarandillo says…
"The win tonight had nothing to do with me. That was totally on Coach
Gary Greenwood, captain
Zachary Hurst and every player on that team. All I did was wash their uniforms. Seriously, I thank the Lord they let me be a part of their program."
How It Happened
Erskine challenged Southern Wesleyan early, but the Warriors would not let up their defense. The Warriors maintained the pressure as
Tipton Wright tipped the ball over to
Feren Nunez, who sent the ball across the field to
Hykeem Martin. Martin weaved around to get around the Flying Fleet defense and goalkeeper to score the first goal and give Southern Wesleyan a 1-0 goal advantage. Southern Wesleyan continued to attack as
Pedro Fonseca and
Jose Rangel both took shots, but Evan Zizek repelled their attacks. Erskine continued to press, but Southern Wesleyan stood strong to maintain a 1-0 lead at half.
Erskine attacked early, but both Louis Betrancourt and Dennis Cole's attack on the net missed to allow the Warriors to remain on top.
Hykeem Martin pressed the ball down the side for the Warriors, but Evan Zizek kept the Warriors from extending their lead. A foul allowed the Warriors to take a free kick.
Zachary Hurst took the free kick and sent it into the box.
Diego Hernandez collected the ball and sent it into the low left to give the Warriors a 2-0 lead. The Warriors continued to press ahead with shots by
Trey Greenwood and Martin, but the Flying Fleet defense blocked their attacks. The Flying Fleet countered as Isaac White passed the ball to Dennis Cole, who put it into the net to allow Erskine to cut Southern Wesleyan's lead in half. However, the Warriors went on to win the game in a 2-1 final.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will return home on September 25 as they host the Barton Bulldogs at 2:30 p.m. on Childs Field. The Warriors will then travel to Winston-Salem, NC to take on the Carolina University Bruins on September 30 at 6 p.m. They will then return to Central, SC to host the King Tornado on October 6, and the Converse Valkyries on October 9.
