Belmont, NC – Southern Wesleyan fell in a hard fought battle against the Belmont Abbey Crusaders on Saturday evening in a 1-0 final score.

The Warriors totaled 13 shots with four being on target in the loss to the Crusaders.  Sebastian Zumbado had three shots while both Brody Schroeder and Michael Boyle each had two shots.  Southern Wesleyan's shots on target came off the feet of Matias Garnier, Emilio Cordero, Josiah Pitts and Mason Councill.  Luke Bramblett played all ninety minutes in the goal and came up with six saves.

Game Vitals

Final: Belmont Abbey 1, Southern Wesleyan 0

Records: Southern Wesleyan (2-1 / CC 0-1) Belmont Abbey (2-1 / CC 1-0)

How It Happened

The Crusaders took a free kick early on in the first half.  Sam Reynolds collected the kick as it rebounded off of a player and was able to get it past the Warriors defense to give Belmont Abbey the early advantage.  Belmont Abbey took another attack this time off the foot of Omer Gulmez, but it went just wide.  Southern Wesleyan answered as Sebastian Zumbado took a shot on the net eleven minutes into the match, but his attack was blocked by the Crusaders defense.  Emilio Cordero wove around the defense and got off a shot, but Trent McConnaughey corralled the ball to prevent Southern Wesleyan from tying the game up.  Austin Ball attempted to extend on the Crusaders' lead, but Luke Bramblett was there to prevent it.  A foul outside the box allowed the Warriors to take a free kick.  Gabriel Melendez sent the ball in toward the box and Matias Garnier then headed it in toward the goal, but once again McConnaughey was there to save the ball from reaching the net.  Reynolds took yet another shot on the goal, but the Warriors back line defended the net from the pressing attack.

Sam Reynolds and Anthony Armas continued the Crusaders' attacks on the net, but Luke Bramblett saved each of their attacks from finding the back of the net.  As the Warriors took a free kick after a foul was committed by the Crusaders, Josiah Pitts collected the ball and sent it toward the lower left corner of the goal.  However, Trent McConnaughey was once again in the way to prevent the Warriors from tying the game up.  The Warriors continued to challenge the net as Sebastian Zumbado and Michael Boyle each took shots on the net, but each of their attacks were thwarted by the Belmont Abbey defense.  Southern Wesleyan pressed down the field and crossed the ball into the box.  Mason Councill collected the cross and drilled the ball into the upper left corner of the net, but McConnaughey got up to punch out the attack at the net.  The Warriors continued to challenge the Crusaders, but could not pull out on top as Belmont Abbey claimed the game in a 1-0 final score.

What's Next

Southern Wesleyan will return to Childs Field on September 17 as they host the Newberry Wolves at 6pm.  They will then hit the road to Spartanburg, SC to take on the Converse Valkyries on September 20.