GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Thomas Deeley recorded a
hat-trick including the match-winner in the 86th minute to lead the
Lees-McRae College men's soccer team to a thrilling 3-2 road win at
Tusculum College Wednesday night at Pioneer Field.
Deeley broke the 2-2 tie as he bent a free kick from 26 yards out
from the top of the box and into the right corner of the net to
complete his three-goal performance and give the visitors' their
first lead of the night.
Following a scoreless opening half, Tusculum mounted an attack to start the second period and 17 seconds in the Bobcats were whistled for a hand ball foul inside the penalty area. TC's Guillermo Lazcano buried the penalty kick into the top shelf for his first goal of 2015.
Lees-McRae answered in the 64th minute as Deeley gathered in a loose ball in the box and sent a shot inside the far post to knot the match at 1-1. The goal was assisted by Pol Vassart.
Tusculum regained the advantage in the 70th minute when Nathaniel Scere took possession of a loose ball in front of the TC goal and looped a 60-yard pass to Andreas Kvam who beat a defender and the goalkeeper one-on-one and kicked the ball into the open net.
The Bobcats (2-1) tied the game again in the 84th minute as Deeley and James Abraham went on a breakaway with Deeley scoring from 15 yards out to tie the contest at 2-2.
Tusculum's best shot at getting the equalizer came at the 86:10 mark as Dominic McLaren gathered in a cross from the left side and headed the pass towards the far post, but was gathered in by keeper Tyler Pavlet for his second save of the evening.
Tusculum out-shot the Lees-McRae by a 14-9 margin, including 12-5 in the second half. It was also a physical match which included 28 combined fouls, including five yellow cards.
The Pioneers (2-1) return to action next Wednesday as they travel to Queens University of Charlotte to open South Atlantic Conference play. Match will kick off at 7:30 p.m.
- TC -