BELMONT, N.C. – Niko Tirkkonen netted his seventh goal of the season in Coker's 1-0 win over Belmont Abbey in Conference Carolinas men's soccer action on Wednesday. The win improves the regionally ranked No. 9 Cobras to 8-3 overall and 4-1 in league play.

An evenly matched affair, neither team was able to tickle the twine through the first 84 minutes of play. Finally, Tirkkonen found a hole in the defense and sent a header off a cross from Matt Taylor into the back on the net, giving Coker the 1-0 lead and the eventual win. Tirkkonen's goal was his fourth game-winner of the season.

James Sweeney was magnificent between the posts for the Cobras, as he turned away six Crusader shots en route to his third shut out of the season.

Coker returns to the pitch for a match at home on Saturday (Oct. 13) against Erskine College. Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.