BANNER ELK, N.C. - The Lenoir-Rhyne men's soccer team dropped another close contest on Saturday, falling 1-0 to No. 15 Lees-McRae on the road.
The Bobcats scored in the sixth minute of the game and never looked back, holding on for the win.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: #15 Lees-McRae 1, Lenoir-Rhyne 0
Records: Lees-McRae (4-0-1), Lenoir-Rhyne (0-3-2)
Location: Banner Elk, N.C. | Tate Field
STORY OF THE MATCH:
- Lees-McRae's Andrea Marrazzo picked off an LR pass early and scored from 18 yards out to put the Bobcats up 1-0 six minutes into the game.
- Lenoir-Rhyne controlled a good amount of the first half, peppering the Bobcats' goalie with four shots in a 10-minute span.
- Mason Cranford saved two shots late in the first half and the Bears went into the break down 1-0.
- The Bears had two shots by Oskar Dahlberg and Hector Taboada saved in quick succession midway through the second half.
- Lenoir-Rhyne's final shot came in the 72nd minute and from there on the Bobcats controlled the game.
STORY OF THE MATCH:
- Lenoir-Rhyne out-shot Lees-McRae 12-10, but the Bobcats held a 6-4 lead in shots-on-goal.
- There were 17 fouls and six yellow cards in the game.
- Both Hector Taboada and Oskar Dahlberg had four shots.
- Mason Cranford made a career high five saves in net.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- The Bears lead the all-time series 8-6-4.
- This was the first meeting between these teams since 2019, and the first win for Lees-McRae since 2011.
- Since allowing six goals in the season opener, the Bears have allowed a combined five goals in the past four games.
- All three Lenoir-Rhyne losses this season have been by one goal to ranked teams.
UP NEXT: Lenoir-Rhyne will be on the road again next Wednesday when they travel to Harrogate, Tennessee, to take on Lincoln Memorial. The Railsplitters are 2-1-1 on the year and recently tied Lynn 1-1 on Tuesday. Kickoff for that contest is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
