CENTRAL, S.C. – A 52nd-minute goal from the Southern Wesleyan University Warriors (1-2) was the difference maker as the Brevard College men's soccer team (0-1) fell in a narrow 2-1 defeat to the NCAA DII Warriors in Brevard's regular season opener on Thursday evening in Central, South Carolina.
Junior defender Igor da Silva scored Brevard's lone goal, as the Americana, Brazil native scored in the 38th minute to tie the contest at 1-1.
Junior midfielder Estevan Berto led all Tornados with three shot attempts while also assisting on Da Silva's goal. , while Luis dos Santos, Sam O'Callaghan, and Marcos Silva each logged two shots apiece. Paul Bienefeld (0-1) made eight saves in his Brevard College debut.
SWU's Pedro Fonseca and Zachary Hurst registered goals, while Hykeem Martin and Feren Nunez logged assists. The shot total was nearly even, with the Tornados holding a slim 16-15 advantage, while BC made eight saves to SWU's seven. Brevard won five corner kicks in the contest as well.
Southern Wesleyan wasted no time getting on the score sheet, as Hurst put one past Bienefeld in the third minute to take an early 1-0 advantage. Brevard answered back with several scoring chances, threatening with seven shots before da Silva found the back of the net off a corner kick from Berto to tie the contest, 1-1.
SWU took a pair of shot attempts to begin the second half before Fonseca's go-ahead goal in the 52nd minute gave the hosts a 2-1 advantage. Berto hit a shot off the crossbar in the 61st minute as BC searched for the equalizer, but BC was forced to play the final 24 minutes of action man-down after a second yellow was issued to da Silva, sending him off for the remainder of the contest.
Brevard had five shot attempts, with two being on-target, but the Warriors were able to hold on for the one-goal victory.
The Tornados will look to bounce back when they travel to Winston-Salem, North Carolina to take on Carolina University on Saturday at 7 p.m.
To follow the latest news and updates surrounding Brevard College Athletics, follow the Tornados on Twitter and Instagram @bctornados, subscribe to 'Brevard College Tornados' on YouTube, follow 'Brevard College Tornados' on SoundCloud, and 'Brevard College Athletics' on Facebook. In addition, follow 'brevardcollege' on Flickr for photos from Brevard College events.
-BC-