HICKORY, N.C.-- The tone has been set. Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Soccer got on the board early against Belmont Abbey and didn't look back, winning their season opener 4-0.
The preseason SAC favorites have now won five straight against the Crusaders and haven't lost since 2009.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 4, Belmont Abbey 0
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (1-0), Belmont Abbey (0-1)
Location: Moretz Sports Athletic Complex | Hickory, N.C.
STATS OF THE MATCH:
- The Bears got on the board in just the fifth minute of the game when Raul Canas took advantage of some chaos in the box to score the Bears' first goal of the season.
- Canas made it a brace in the 42nd minute with a perfect header off a cross from Guillermo Garcia.
- Lake Erie transfer Aaron Garrote scored his first goal in an LR uniform with a 1-on-1 score in the 76th minute.
- After racking up two assists, Guillermo Garcia got on the board himself with a goal in the 83rd minute off the assist from Fran Tita.
- The Bears controlled this one, outshooting the Crusaders 18-4 and holding an 11-2 edge in shots-on-goal.
- Tomas Fontes made two saves in net, recording the second shutout victory of his Bear career.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- Despite being only 45 miles from each other, this is Belmont Abbey's first trip to Hickory since the 2016 season.
- The Bears now lead the all-time series 15-12-1.
- The four goals is the most for the Bears since they picked up a 4-2 win over Pfeiffer in 2008.
UP NEXT: Bears will jump into SAC play on Thursday afternoon when Lincoln Memorial comes to town. The Railsplitters lost their opener to UIndy 2-1 and will face North Georgia tomorrow before Thursday's match. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:00 pm on Thursday.
