Hartsville, S.C. – A pair of goals from Chad Pinnick (Satellite Beach, FL) and a goal and an assist from Kevin O’Donnell (Prince George, VA) lead the Royals of Queens University of Charlotte to a 3-1 win over the Coker Cobras on Saturday afternoon in men’s collegiate soccer. With the win Queens improves to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in Conference Carolinas play, while the loss drops Coker to 1-3-1 overall and 0-1 in the conference.

Queens jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first half, with Pinnick netting his first goal on a header into the left corner off a cross from O’Donnell in the eighth minute of play. Just three minutes later, O’Donnell recorded his goal, as he blasted a shot from just outside the penalty area that defected off a Cobra defender and into the back of the net.

The Cobras were not content to just roll over for the Royals, as the continued to press the Queens defense, but it was not until the second half in the 46th minute that Coker got their first goal. Daniel Shrizad (Orlando, FL) settled a chip over the Royal defense from Mike Crook (Bradenton, FL) and found the back of the net cut the Queens lead to just one.

The Cobras continued to pester the Royals, out shooting Queens 18-5 in the match, but were unable to come up with the equalizer and in the 76th minute Pinnick put the Royals up by two when he beat Cobra keeper, Joel Tyson (Irmo, SC), on a penalty kick.

It was a foul and card heavy game, with 31 total fouls and eight cards issued in the game.

The Cobras return to the pitch on Tuesday, as they travel to Belmont Abbey for a conference contest at 4:00 p.m., while Queens will host St. Andrews on Monday at 5:30 p.m.