Banner Elk, N.C. - The Lenoir-Rhyne University Men's Soccer Team (3-1) picked up a key regional win with a 1-0 victory over Lees-McRae College (3-2) Thursday night at Tate Field.? L-R freshman defender Sean Rogers (Dublin, IRELAND) scored the lone goal of the match for the Bears, who defeated last year's NCAA Division II runner-up.

In addition, Lees-McRae was ranked second in the NSCAA NCAA Division II National Preseason Poll.

Rogers broke the scoreless tie in the 56th minute when he headed the ball past Lees-McRae's goalkeeper, Thomas Rusling (Sheffield, UNITED KINGDOM), for the goal.? The score was brought on by a corner kick from junior midfielder Jordan Holmes (Southport, ENGLAND), who was credited with the assist.

L-R held on for the win despite Lees-McRae's 14-8 advantage in shots while Bear senior Tom Heath (Solihull, ENGLAND) picked up the shutout in goal.? Heath finished with five saves on the evening.? Rusling suffered the loss for the Bobcats.

Lenoir-Rhyne returns home to face Anderson in its South Atlantic Conference opener on Sunday beginning at 4 p.m.? Lees-McRae hosts Mount Olive in a Conference Carolinas match on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.