Banner Elk, NC – The Erskine Men’s Soccer Team took a huge step tonight in securing a berth into the conference championship tournament with the 3-1 upset victory over Lees-McRae College at Tate Field. 

With two conference games remaining, Erskine now stands at 7-6-1 overall and 5-4 in conference.  Erskine is tied with North Greenville for third place in the Western Division of Conference Carolinas and holds a two point lead over King College.  The top four teams from each division advance to the conference tournament.  For Lees-McRae College, the loss drops them to 10-4-1 overall and 7-2 in conference.

Erskine tallied their first two scores midway through the opening half.  Freshman midfielder Peter Savarese (Summerville, SC, Pinewood Preparatory School) found the back of the net in the 27^th minute for his second goal of the year.  Just four minutes later, freshman Andrew Settlemire (Beaufort, SC, Beaufort High School) launched a nice pass into the box to fellow freshman Luke Boyce (Lincoln, England), who placed the ball in the lower corner of the goal.  It was Boyce’s fifth goal of the year.   Erskine took a 2-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.

In the second half, Lees-McRae outshot Erskine 12-3 but could only get one ball past Erskine goalkeeper Roberto De La Vina (Oviedo, Spain, San Ignacio).  De La Vina finished 8 saves on 15 shots for the game.

The Bobcat goal came late in the game.  Scott Alford scored on a pass from James Smith.  However, the Fleet immediately responded, taking the ensuing kick-off down the field and scoring on a goal by freshman Dylan Goodale (Vienna, VA, George C. Marshall High School), his fifth of the season.  Erskine won the game 3-1.

Erskine hosts Pfeiffer University this Saturday at 4:30 p.m.  Prior to the game, Erskine will recognize this year’s inductees into the Flying Fleet Hall of Fame.

Box Score