BREVARD, N.C. – The Brevard College men's soccer team (2-0, 1-0 USAS) held off the visiting Piedmont College Lions (0-1, 0-1 USAS) in its USA South Conference opener at Ives-Lemel Family Field on a cold and rainy Sunday afternoon.
The Tornados used a lone goal in the 29th minute from sophomore forward Vinicius Giannaccini – one that was assisted by freshman midfielder Estevan Berto – and a stout, stingy defensive effort that included five saves to edge out Piedmont for the conference triumph.
Sophomore goalkeeper Pedro Campos (2-0) kept a 90-minute clean sheet with five saves to keep the Lions off the scoresheet. Ryan Lynch (three shots) and Adam Spencer (two shots) threatened goal, while defenders Sam O'Callaghan and Trystan Wallace also got shots off for the Tornados.
The Lions out-shot Brevard 11-9 in the match, with BC firing seven shots to Piedmont's two in the first period before the visitors ripped nine attempts in the second half to BC's two. BC controlled possession well, winning 10 corner kicks to Piedmont's five. The foul count was even at nine apiece for both sides, while a total of five cards were handed out.
Piedmont keeper Cameron Verona (0-1) was handed the loss in a two-save effort, while Cameron Earls and Matthew Loftin each let multiple shot attempts off for the Lions.
The Tornados won two corner kicks within the first two minutes of action, while Giannaccini and Earls each recorded shot attempts within the opening minutes. BC's Wallace and Lynch each went for goal before O'Callaghan's chance at goal went over the bar. Spencer had an attempt blocked on a breakaway and then had an attempt saved in the 28th minute of play. However, just over a minute later, Giannaccini would etch his name on the score sheet, running a give-and-go with Berto. Giannaccini timed his run-up and sprinted past Piedmont's backline, slotting home his shot into the near post to give BC the early advantage. Brevard was able to win a pair of corner kicks just before intermission and held onto its 1-0 lead heading into the locker room.
The script flipped just minutes into the second period of play, as the Lions had four shots consecutively through the first 25 minutes of the second half. BC's Lynch had a 75th-minute attempt saved before the Lions tallied four more unanswered shots. With under five minutes left to play, the Tornados clung to their slim, 1-0 margin.
BC's best chance to double its lead came in the 88th minute, when Lynch ripped a right-footed shot that just narrowly blasted off the crossbar, keeping the contest within reach for Piedmont. A flurry of fouls and cards came in the contest's final 20 seconds of play, setting up the Lions with a free-kick just in front of the right-hand side of the box. PC's Matthew Loftin took the kick, sending the ball into the direction of the bottom right corner of the goal. Campos turned the attempt away, punching the ball away for a last-second corner attempt in favor of the Lions. Piedmont's last-second effort was denied, clinching the conference victory for the Tornados.
Brevard is scheduled to return to action on Saturday, February 20 when the Tornados travel to Lookout Mountain, Georgia to face off against defending USA South West Division champion Covenant College (1-1, 1-0 USAS), with first touch set for 2 p.m.
To follow the latest news and updates surrounding Brevard College Athletics, follow the Tornados on Twitter Instagram @BCTornados, subscribe to 'Brevard College Tornados' on YouTube and SoundCloud, and follow 'Brevard College Tornado Athletics' on Facebook. In addition, follow 'brevardcollege' on Flickr for photos from BC events.
-BC-
