Central, SC - The Southern Wesleyan University Men's Soccer battled with Emmanuel University in one of the most entertaining games of the season so far.

The Warriors recorded 15 shots in the game, four of them were on target. Gabriel Melendez and Diego Hernandez led the team with three shots each, followed by Ryan Rodriguez, Dillon Bennett, and Brody Schroeder with two shots each. Marco Iniguez played all 90 minutes in net for SWU, tallying five saves. 




Game Vitals: 

Final: Southern Wesleyan University 0, Emmanuel University 1

Records: Southern Wesleyan University (2-8-1, 0-6), Emmanuel University (5-3, 4-1)





How It Happened: 

This match truly was one of the best college soccer games seen in some time on Childs Field. Both teams were relentless from the opening whistle until the buzzer. The Warriors were the closest of the two teams, as Dillon Bennett hit the crossbar just six minutes into his return from suspension. The next 20 minutes were fairly even with both SWU and Emmanuel creating chances, but nothing clear-cut. That would change in the 27th minute. The Lions had a sequence of build-up play leading to a long ball that found Matt Fitzer, who finished at the Warrior near-post to give the Lions the lead. Emmanuel would create more chances in the remaining portion of the opening period, but SWU still felt like the better team going into the locker room.

They started the second period the same way. The Warriors hit the woodwork again in the 53rd minute, when a Feren Nunez free kick went through a gap in the Lion wall and hit the near post of Natxo Faus's goal. And even still, that wouldn't be the closest of the Warriors' chances. Just two minutes later Ryan Rodriguez earned drew a foul in the box. Gabriel Melendez, a newly-elected penalty kick taker, had his effort saved by Faus. Again Southern Wesleyan would not give up their pursuit of an equalizer. Winger Diego Hernandez was frequently found in space, and he created many good chances for the Warriors. Tensions rose as time diminished and eventually SWU would have their efforts ended by the final whistle, sealing defeat in what was an instant classic at Childs Field. 

Goalkeeper Marco Iniguez was named the Warriors' "Spark Plug of the Game", a team-selected award for a player who brought high energy and an impactful performance. Marco made some terrific saves in both halves, keeping SWU at arm's length of an equalizing goal.



What's Next:

The Warriors will begin a road trip following Tuesday's match. They travel to North Greenville on October 7th, Erskine on October 11th, and Young-Harris on October 14th before hosting Mars Hill on October 18th.