Men's Soccer Starts Conference Play Victorious

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Men's soccer is coming back to Waleska with a 3-0 record after holding off Bluefield (Va.) in the Eagles' Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) opener against the Rams, 2-1, on Wednesday afternoon.

Reinhardt, who improved to 1-0 in the AAC with the victory, was able to hold off its hosts in the second half after Arthur Hugon found the back of the net at 59:16 for what would prove-to-be the contest-winning score.

"First, I would like to give honor where honor is due.... Coach Morton did a quality job of preparing his team for the AAC opener and his players deserve credit for a good battle today," head coach Joey Johnson said. "I thought our guys showed grit and determination to secure a positive result on the road; back to work tomorrow."

Earlier in the matchup, the Eagles got on the board quickly in the eighth minute after Gus Fidler put them ahead, 1-0. Less than two minutes later, however, Bluefield knotted things up at 1-1 on a goal at 9:13.

The scoreboard would remain the same through halftime and the 60^th minute as both defenses played a hard-nosed style that is reminiscent of being back in league action.

The hometown squad held the Rams to just five shots total, and in return, gathered eight attempts of its own in the positive triumph.

Reinhardt led in corner kicks, 8-2, including a 6-0 advantage in the opening 45 minutes.

Niko Tzevelekos made one save in a complete-match win.

Tennessee Wesleyan comes to town for the first match at home inside Ken White Field at University Stadium on Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

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