COLUMBIA, Ky. -- A trio of Lindsey Wilson College men's soccer players scored to help the No. 4-ranked Blue Raiders to a 3-1 win over visiting Martin Methodist (Tenn.) College on Friday at Lindsey Wilson Park.
Lindsey Wilson sophomore
Nathaniel Jafta and freshmen
Carnell Learmond and
Pascal Milien each scored to lift the Blue Raiders in the nightcap of the first night of the KELME Classic hosted by Lindsey Wilson College.
No. 15-ranked Lee (Tenn.) University upset No. 6-ranked Lindenwood (Mo.) University 2-1 in the classic's opener. Lee senior Erick Oduor and sophomore Stanley Nyazamba each scored goals to lift the Flames to the win.
In the nightcap, the Blue Raiders struck early as Learmond netted his team-leading third goal of the season in the game's eighth minute to give Lindsey Wilson a 1-0 lead. Ten minutes later the Redhawks got the equalizer, as junior Stephen Hogan penetrated through the Lindsey Wilson defense to score an unassisted goal to tie the game at 1-1.
Lindsey Wilson, who out-shot Martin Methodist 6-1 in the opening half and 11-5 for the game, countered in the 32nd minute on Jafta's first goal of the season. Jafta's goal, off a cross deep into the penalty area from junior
Ryan Stewart, gave the Blue Raiders the 2-1 lead heading into the second half.
In the second 45 minutes, each team had chances but was turned away by outstanding saves from the opposing goalkeeper. Lindsey Wilson junior goalkeeper
Dejan Ondelj stopped a pair of Redhawk shots from point blank range, while his counterpart, senior Matthew Thorne, made a diving save keeping the game at 2-1. Ondelj ended the game with the two saves, while Thorne collected three saves.
Milien ended the scoring in the game's 77th minute as senior
Igor Stijepic headed the ball into the penalty box and Milien finished for his first career goal.
Lindsey Wilson improves to 3-1-0 with the 3-1 win. Martin Methodist suffered its first loss of the season, falling to 1-1-1.
The two teams return to action on Saturday as Martin Methodist will face Lindenwood at 5 p.m. CT and the Blue Raiders will host Lee at 7 p.m. CT in the final day of the KELME Classic.
