DUE WEST-- The Newberry men's soccer team got two second half goals to lead them to a 2-0 win over Erskine in the Fleet's home opener Saturday afternoon at Huggins Field. After a scoreless, evenly played first half which saw both teams get five shots and some good opportunities, Newberry got on the board at 56:59 when sophomore Stephen Bass gathered the ball at the top of the left box, avoided two Fleet defenders and rocketed a shot to the right corner of the net past Erskine goalkeeper Devon Braykovich. Newberry then avoided two golden opportunities by the Fleet to maintain the lead. At the 77:14 mark Erskine freshman Matt Sluga hit a beautiful cross to a wide-open Patrick Brown, but Brown's touch went directly at Newberry goalie Joel Johnson. Minutes later, Erskine freshman Jack Kimber was tackled in the box and awarded an apparent game-tying penalty kick at 79:31. But Kimber's attempt was thwarted by Johnson, who made six saves for the Indians on the afternoon. Newberry removed all doubt of the game's outcome at 86:22 when a streaking Francisco Espinoza got a perfect pass from Ben Mottell to push Newberry to a 2-0 lead.

Erskine dropped to 0-1-1 on the young season. The Fleet next play on Wednesday when they travel to Dahlonega, GA to take on North Georgia College and State University.