Late Goals Power Cobras to Pivotal Conference Victory over Lenoir-Rhyne

HARTSVILLE, S.C. - Two late goals powered Coker University men's soccer to a pivotal South Atlantic Conference victory over Lenoir-Rhyne on Wednesday (Oct. 12) by a score of 3-1. 

Lenoir-Rhyne struck first to take a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute, before the Cobras would even things up in the 38th minute when Celestin Blondel scored from Gustavo Palmieri and Colin Serredszum after a ball was fed through traffic and eventually found the back of the net. The teams would head to the break tied 1-1, and appeared to be headed for Coker's eighth tie of the season. In the 82nd minute, Palmieri was brought down in the box to set up a penalty kick. Palmieri stashed the penalty home in the low left corner to put the Cobras ahead 2-1. Five minutes later, as Lenoir-Rhyne tried to apply offensive pressure, a ball was played out of the Cobra end toward the midfield as L-R's goalie attempted to play the ball back in. The ball was taken off of him near midfield by Tony Barry, who put the game on ice from long range to bring the contest to its final score. 

Coker out-shot L-R 17-12 in the match, while Blondel led the way with five attempts. Serredszum and Barry each registered three shots in the match, while Luca Leonini had two and Matty Tricker and Myles Jackson each had one. Coker also totaled four corner kicks in the match. Jasper Rump (4-1-7) made six saves in the win. 

The Cobras (4-1-7, 3-0-4 SAC) return to the pitch on Saturday (Oct. 15) to host Limestone for Homecoming and Senior Day. The 2022 Men's Soccer Senior Class will be honored prior to kickoff. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. from the Coker Athletic Field, with video and live stats available at www.cokercobras.com. 

McDonald's Player of the Match - Gustavo Palmieri