DUE WEST, N.C. – The Erskine College men's soccer team (0-6, 0-1 CC) began Conference Carolinas play with a 2-1 home loss to Southern Wesleyan University (1-4, 1-2 CC). Dennis Cole scored in the 72nd minute to give Erskine a late chance, but the Fleet could not get over the hump at Huggins Field on Tuesday night.

THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Table | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
THE SERIES
The all-time series is now even at four wins apiece along with a draw back in 2015. SWU's win tonight ended a brief two-match winning streak for the Fleet where they outscored the Warriors 16 to one.

THE MATCH
Following a slow start from both sides, the visitors struck first as they won possession in their defensive half and played a ball toward Hykeem Martin who burst away from the Fleet defense before tucking it away in the bottom corner to give Southern Wesleyan a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute. And it was the Warriors who looked more likely to score the next goal as well as they outshot Erskine five to zero in the final half hour of the first half. The Fleet defense held up which sent the match to the halftime break at 1-0. The Fleet were much better going forward in the second half, but again counter attack from SWU proved lethal as they won a free kick right on the halfway line. Zachary Hurst delivered a ball into the Erskine box which fell to the feet of Diego Hernandez who slotted it home to double the Warriors' lead. Erskine began to throw numbers forward and piled on the pressure, and their persistance was rewarded as Isaac White skipped away from a few SWU defenders before playing in Dennis Cole who found the back of the net to get the Fleet on the board, 2-1, in the 72nd minute. That made for an exciting final 18 minutes with Erskine pushing for an equalizing goal. The Fleet got close on a few occassions, none more so than in the 84th minute when William Mashburn played a cross to an unmarked White on the back post who couldn't get his shot on target. Erskine pressed on but could not equalize as the Fleet lost their conference opener, 2-1.

THE TEAM
Erskine outshot SWU 14 to 11, but the visitors had a narrow five to three advantage in shots on target.
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Fleet continue Conference Carolinas play on Saturday, September 25 on the road at Lees-McRae (3-1-1, 1-0 CC) at 5:30 p.m. The Bobcats have a 10-7-1 advantage in the all-time series but the Fleet won in Due West, 2-0, back in March of this year.
 
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