DUE WEST, S.C. – The Erskine College men's soccer team (2-11-1, 1-4-1 CC) defeated King University (2-7-2, 0-7-1 CC) by a score of 1-0 behind a first-half goal from Dennis Cole at Huggins Field on Wednesday evening to earn the Fleet their first home win of the fall 2021 season.

THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Table | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network

THE SERIES
Erskine now leads the all-time series 7-2-1 and have won three straight meetings with the Tornado.

THE MATCH
The Fleet started the match on the front foot, creating a few good chances in the opening 15 minutes but a pair of saves by the King goalkeeper kept the match scoreless. The Fleet remained the better side throughout the first half, but the Tornado did create some opportunities on counter attacks. The match looked to be headed to a scoreless tie at the half but in the 42nd minute, Daniel Rodriguez won a free kick in Erskine's defensive half. The Fleet went short with the free kick but moved the ball down the right flank with relative ease, setting up Andres Rojas in a 1-on-1 matchup. Rojas created some space for himself and delivered a right-footed cross onto the head of an unmarked Dennis Cole from eight yards out who put it away for his sixth goal of the season, putting Erskine up 1-0 at the half. The Fleet controlled the second half as well, outshooting King 10 to six, but failed to take advantage of their opportunities to seal the victory. King produced some promising counter attacks in the final minutes, but did not have a shot on target in the final period as the Fleet saw out a 1-0 win for their first home victory of the season.

THE PLAYER
Dennis Cole had a game-high 8 shots, including the lone goal of the match on a well-placed header in the 42nd minute.

THE TEAM
Erskine outshot King 19 to nine and had a six to one advantage in shots on target.
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Fleet remain at home when they welcome Chowan University (9-2-1, 7-1-1 CC) to town on Saturday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. Chowan has won each of the last two meetings between the teams but they have not played since a 4-1 Hawks victory back in September 2019.

MORE ABOUT THE ERSKINE COLLEGE FLYING FLEET

    Visit the Official Home of Erskine Athletics at www.erskinesports.com
  
    Follow us on Social Media – Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Photos