HobbsDailyReport.com
HICKORY – Top-seeded Lenoir-Rhyne University scored all of its goals in the second half on Tuesday night, beating visiting Coker 2-0 to open the conference men’s soccer tournament.
de GOYA
The Bears (11-5) face fourth-seeded Anderson (S.C.) in a semifinal on Friday at 4 p.m. at Manchester Meadows in Rock Hill, S.C.
Anderson advanced on Tuesday by beating No. 5 seed Lincoln Memorial 2-1.
Coker, seeded eighth, finished 5-10-1.
Seniors scored both goals for LRU with Nach de Goya striking first – in the 57th minute – and Cameron Saul adding an insurance goal.
LRU outshot the Cobras 28-6, including 7-2 on goal, and the Bears’ corner shot edge was 11-5.
Goal keeper Alex Langer had two saves for LRU.
De Goya’s goal was his seventh of the season – second best on the team – and he has 15 points after also adding an assist against Coker. Saul has six goals this season and has 14 points.
The Friday match against Anderson will be a rematch of a regular-season finale won by Anderson.
LRU is 7-1 at home this season.
SAC MEN’S SOCCER TOURNAMENT
First round at higher seeds
Tuesday’s results
Match 1: No. 1 LENOIR-RHYNE 2, No. 8 Coker 0
Match 2: No. 4 Anderson, S.C. 2, No. 5 Lincoln Memorial 1
Match 3: No. 7 Carson-Newman 2, No. 2 Queens 1
Match 4: No. 3 Tusculum 3, No. 6 Wingate 1
Friday’s semifinals at Rock Hill, S.C.
Match 5: No. 4 Anderson, S.C. vs. No. 1 LENOIR-RHYNE, 4:30 p.m.
Match 6: No. 7 Carson-Newman vs. No. 3 Tusculum, 7 p.m.
Sunday’s championship at Rock Hill, S.C.
Match 7, championship: Semifinals winners, 4 p.m.