Tirkkonen Powers Coker Past Barton

HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Niko Tirkkonen was involved in all four of Coker's goals as the Cobras rolled past the Bulldogs of Barton, 4-2 in Conference Carolinas men's soccer action on Thursday. The win moves Coker to 6-3 overall and 3-1 in league play.

Tirkkonen assisted on Coker's first two goals and then scored the final two, earning six points in the match.

Although Coker won the match, Barton was first to strike. Daniel Alkmim scored the opening goal of the match with a shot inside the six-yard box in the 15^th minute of play. Six minutes later Carlos Recinos scored the equalizer with assists from Tirkkonen and Stephen Scrivens. Six minutes after that, Daniel Jackson scored the go-ahead goal on a header off a cross from Tirkkonen.

Tirkkonen scored the next two goals for the Cobras by banging home rebounded shots to make it 4-1.

Barton's Dante De Luca scored the final goal of the match in the 71^st minute, making it a 4-2 final.

James Sweeney and Mark Nankervis each made three saves in the goal for the Cobras, while the Bulldog's Vasily Yakimkin made 10 saves.

Coker will be back in action on Saturday in the 2012 Homecoming match against Shorter University. Kick-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.

McDonald's Player of the Game- Niko Tirkkonen