Rio Grande defeats No. 17 Men’s Soccer, 3-2
MARS HILL, N.C. - Rio Grande, ranked third in the nation in NAIA, defeated No. 17 Mars Hill 3-2 at the Ammons Family Athletic Center and Meares Stadium. The Red Storm (3-0) have won 25 of their last 26 games, while the Lions (3-1) see their 10-game home winning streak snapped.
Mars Hill's Stephen Bivens opened the scoring with a goal in the 17th minute. Bivens beat Rio Grande goalkeeper Jack Marchant for his fifth goal of the season.
The Red Storm tied the game in the 25th minute. Richard Isberner found the back of the net off an assist by Dylan Williams. Mike De Fonte gave Rio Grande a 2-1 advantage in the 30th minute when he scored off an indirect kick by Joel Thiessen, and the Red Storm took a one-goal advantage into halftime.
Rio Grande added an insurance goal in the 73rd minute. Thiessen found the back of the net from 10 yards out on a direct kick.
The Lions mounted a comeback beginning in the 87th minute. Nathaniel Enos scored on a through ball from Craig Carwood. In the 89th minute, Noah Bucy pulled from 30 yards out, but Marchant made a diving save, deflecting the ball over the crossbar to preserve the victory.
Marchant made five saves for the Red Storm. Mars Hill's Zac Scott had six saves.
Rio Grande outshot Mars Hill 19-10. Each team had three corner kicks.
The Lions travel to Young Harris on Wednesday. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.
