DUE WEST, S.C. – The Erskine College men's soccer team (7-0, 6-0 CC) stayed perfect and topped Pool A opponent King University (2-6-1, 2-4-1 CC) by a score of 2-0 to advance to next weekend's Conference Carolinas Tournament semifinals. Dennis Cole gave the Fleet a lead inside the first minute and scored again in the second half to seal an Erskine win on Sunday afternoon.
 
THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Table | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
THE SERIES
The Fleet have now won five straight against the Tornado and lead the all-time series, 6-2-1.

THE MATCH
After an 18-day layoff without a match, Erskine came flying out of the gates and were immediately rewarded. Just 43 seconds in to the match, Diego Acuna won back possession in the Fleet's attacking third and played in Carlos Portas, who rolled a ball across the frame of the King goal where Dennis Cole was waiting at the first post for a tap in as the Fleet jumped out to a 1-0 lead inside the first minute. Erskine continued to dominate the match in the first half, tallying 13 shots and 11 corner kicks in the opening period, but were unable to find a second goal as they had to settle for just a 1-0 halftime lead. But, the second half was more of the same for Erskine and Cole eventually doubled the Fleet lead. In the 56th minute, Isaac White played the ball into the feet of Emil Strengenes right on top of the box, who laid it off perfectly into the path of Cole, and the senior forward poked it under the King goalkeeper to extend the Fleet's lead to 2-0. Moments after the goal, the Tornado had their biggest chance of the match, but a solid save from Evan Zizek ensured his sixth clean sheet of the season and a 2-0 win for Erskine as they were the victors of Pool A and sealed a spot in next weekend's Conference Carolinas Tournament semifinals in Florence.

MAN OF THE MATCH
Dennis Cole had a team-high seven shots and scored both of Erskine's goals in their win over King.
 
THE TEAM
The Fleet dominated the Tornado, outshooting eight-seeded King 28 to four, and had 12 shots on target to the Tornado's two. The Fleet also had all 17 corner kicks in the match.
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine advances to the Conference Carolinas Tournament Semifinals and will play the winner of Belmont Abbey and North Greenville's pool on Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. in Florence, S.C.

The Fleet earned 1-0 home wins over both of the Crusaders in the regular season behind match-winning goals from Isaac White in both games.
 
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