DUE WEST--Freshman Ross Henderson's goal off a Jonathan Rutter corner kick in the match's 69th minute propelled Erskine to a key Conference Carolinas win over Belmont Abbey Tuesday night at Huggins Field, 3-2. The win puts Erskine in a solid hold of 3rd place in the league standings, virtually assuring the Fleet a 1st round home tournament match. The win improved Erskine to 7-6-1 on the season and 6-2-1 in league play. Belmont Abbey dropped to 6-8 and 4-5 in Conference Carolinas.

The match got off to a late start as a light standard at Huggins Field would not come on. The two teams chose to play despite the missing lights and put on a show for the crowd in attendance. Trevor Moreland got Erskine on the board first at 25:07 when he finished off a perfect cross from Jay Lang past Abbey keeper Phillip Bru. The Abbey responded five minutes later (32:27) on an unassisted goal by Conor Wells. The two teams went to half tied at 1-1 after a well-played 1st stanza.

Marco Borsetto put the Fleet up 2-1 at 51:46 when he rifled a cross from the right side that struck an Abbey defender and bounded in the goal. The Abbey answered at 62:36 on a goal bt Mauricio Lopez who was the benefactor of a beautiful pass from Ross Smith. With the match tied at 2-2, Rutter set up for a corner kick at 68:40 that Henderson located and rammed into the back of the net for a 3-2, game-winning goal. The duo almost struck again moments later when Henderson played a perfect ball to Rutter but his one on one shot attempt against Abbey goalie Liam Quinn was just wide.

The two teams were virtually even on shots, with Erskine being credited with 14 to the Crusaders 13. Junior goalie Roberto De La Vina made 4 saves on the evening. Erskine will conclude its regulars season at home on Saturday with a Homecoming match against Queens University of Charlotte.