MORROW, GA. – The Erskine College men's soccer team (0-2) began their fall 2021 campaign with a pair of losses, losing 2-1 at the University of North Georgia (1-0) on Thursday night and then suffered a 2-0 loss against Clayton State (1-0-1) on Saturday evening at Laker Field. Dennis Cole scored the Fleet's lone goal of the weekend, a second-minute goal against North Georgia.

THE ESSENTIALS 
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MATCH 1: North Georgia (Thursday)
The Erskine Flying Fleet began their 2021 fall season on Thursday night in Dahlonega, and it did not take long for the reigning Conference Carolinas regular season champions to pick up where they left off just a few months ago. Less than two minutes into the match, senior forward Dennis Cole found the back of the net and the Fleet jumped out to an early 1-0 lead. The Nighthawks controlled the majority of the match as they outshot the Fleet seven to two in the first half, but did not threaten Erskine's goal as the Fleet took a 1-0 lead into the half. North Georgia continued with more of the same in the second half, peppering the Erskine goal for 13 shots in the half. Fleet goalkeeper Evan Zizek held strong for awhile, making five saves in the half, but the Nighthawks eventually found an equalizer in the 73rd minute from Donovan Odier. That score remained the same and the match looked to be a draw, but Elwyn Asiedu scored for the hosts with one of the final kicks of the match to give North Georgia a 2-1 win.

MATCH 2: Clayton State (Saturday)
Just a few days later, the Fleet traveled to Morrow and took on Clayton State for their second match in three days. The Lakers were in complete command throughout the afternoon, as they tallied 11 shots in the first half and a 12th minute goal from Langston Blackstock gave the hosts a 1-0 halftime lead. Clayton State continued to create the bulk of the opportunities and got some cushion when Joe Conway doubled their lead in the 65th minute, as the Fleet mustered just two shots on goal all afternoon and were defeated 2-0. The Fleet allowed just one goal in eight matches a year ago, but conceded twice in both road matches this weekend.

THE PLAYER
Senior Dennis Cole scored a second-minute goal on Thursday against North Georgia to put the Fleet in front.
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine's road trip to begin the fall 2021 season continues on Wednesday, September 8 when the Fleet travel to Carson-Newman University (0-1) at 5:00 p.m. This will be the Fleet's first ever official meeting with Carson-Newman.
 
MORE ABOUT THE ERSKINE COLLEGE FLYING FLEET

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