Hartsville, SC- In their first game of the 2007 season the Coker Cobras Men’s Soccer Team fell to the Wingate University Bulldogs by a score of 2-1. The loss drops the Cobras to 0-1 overall, while Wingate improves to 1-0.

The Bulldogs were able to strike first, with a goal by Rory Green/Sleaford, England, at the 16 minute mark. Green slid a shot past Coker keeper, Joel Tyson/Columbia, SC, after receiving a pass from Junior Nyemb/Douala, Cameroon. The score remained 1-0 into the second half, until Coker evened things up.

Freshman Cobra, Sam Bevan/Atlanta, GA, made at statement in his first college game, as he took a pass from senior Jake Wyman/Bradenton, FL, off a direct kick and buried it in the back of the net from 30 yards out in the 75^th minute.

Unfortunately for the Cobras, the Bulldogs would not be shutdown and in the 86^th minute, Nyemb got his second assist of the night as he faked out freshman keeper Ryan Lewis/Satellite Beach, FL, and feed the ball to Jamie McKenna/Thornton, England, who slid the ball in for the game winning goal.

On the night, Bevan had a goal on two shots for the Cobras, while Nyemb had two assists and Green and McKenna each had a goal for the Bulldogs. As a team Wingate out-shot the Cobras 8-5, while also having the advantage on corner kicks 6-3 and fouls 18-17. Bulldogs keeper Joey Calandra/Mount Pleasant, SC, had three saves, while the Coker keepers had a save apiece.

The Coker men return to the field on Wednesday, as they travel to North Greenville for a 4:00 p.m. match.