WILMORE, Ky. --- The Asbury University men's soccer team (0-1-0, 0-0-0 CCS) turned in a gritty defensive effort Tuesday night at the Gray Outdoor Venue, but came up just short in a 1-0 loss to Transylvania University (1-0-0, 0-0-0 HCAC) in its season opener.
The match was sponsored by APM Paving, the official asphalt and concrete contractor of Team AU, the presenting sponsor of the TeamAU "Paving the Way Feature", and an official sponsor of the annual TeamAU Golf Experience.
The Eagles created early opportunities in a physical first half, testing the Pioneer goalkeeper with shots on target from
Grant Slater and
Nathan Haglund in the opening five minutes. Both chances were turned away as the teams entered halftime scoreless.
Transylvania broke the deadlock less than two minutes into the second half when Cole Varela converted a penalty kick in the 47th minute, providing what proved to be the game's only goal.
Asbury continued to battle throughout the final 43 minutes, receiving strong play from goalkeeper
Tolan Beaty, who finished with seven saves. The freshman repeatedly kept the Eagles within striking distance, recording six saves in the second half alone against a Pioneer attack that generated 10 shots and eight attempts on goal.
The Eagles finished with three total shots, including shots on goal from Slater and Haglund. Defensively, Asbury weathered significant pressure, particularly late in the match when Transylvania earned multiple corner kicks in a short span.
Beaty answered with key saves in the 80th and 83rd minutes to preserve the one-goal margin.
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Tolan Beaty | 7 SV
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Grant Slater,
Nathan Haglund | SOG
Asbury welcomes Mt. St. Jospeh on Friday, Sept. 4, at the Gray Outdoor Venue, kick-off set for 7 PM.
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