DUE WEST, S.C. – The Erskine College men's soccer team (2-7-1, 2-6-1 CC) and North Greenville University (8-2-3, 5-2-3 CC) played to a 1-1 draw at Ralph Lundy Field on Saturday afternoon.

Sean O'Laughlin opened the scoring with his first collegiate goal in the 42nd minute to give Erskine the lead the break. NGU equalized in the 70th minute but the Fleet were able to hold on to earn a valuable point.

THE ESSENTIALS 
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HOW IT HAPPENED
North Greenville controlled most of the play in the first half, but outside of hitting the crossbar in the opening minutes, the Fleet defended well to limit NGU's chances in the opening half. And their hard work was rewarded with a 42nd-minute goal from Sean O'Laughlin. The freshman, who has been filling in at the back, made his way forward as the Fleet sprung on the counter and Marcos Martinez Loureiro broke free down the left wing. Martinez Loureiro drove the ball into the attacking third and found O'Laughlin in space in the box. O'Laughlin chested the ball under his control and unleashed a perfect shot with the outside of his right foot on a bouncing ball to fire it into the back of the net for his first collegiate goal. The Fleet maintained that 1-0 lead heading to the half but were forced to really dig deep in the second period as the Trailblazers piled on constant pressure. NGU eventually found an equalizer in the 70th minute, but Erskine responded well after the goal and continued to work tirelessly in defense and see out a 1-1 draw for a well-earned point on Saturday.

THE PLAYER
Freshman forward Sean O'Laughlin opened his Erskine account with a well-taken goal in the final minutes of the first half, and he was excellent in his center back position all afternoon long, filling in brilliantly in defense for a short-handed Erskine team.

THE TEAM
Erskine was outshot by NGU, 21 to 4, and the Trailblazers had a decided 18 to 3 advantage in corners, but the Fleet defended valiantly and Owen Emeleus made seven saves in goal to help the Fleet pick up a point.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine has its final road match of the regular season, visiting Southern Wesleyan University (3-7-2, 1-6-2 CC) on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Fleet took down the Warriors, 2-0, in the first meeting of the year in Due West earlier this month.

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