HICKORY, N.C. --- Victor Cascon scored the tiebreaking goal with three minutes left in the first half as fifth-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne held on for a 2-1 win over Tusculum in South Atlantic Conference men's soccer action Saturday night.

Ignacio de Goya also scored for the Bears (4-0-0, 1-0-0 SAC), who outshot the Pioneers 18-13 in the match. The Pioneers (0-3-2, 0-1-1 SAC) had 10 shots in the second half, but could not put the equalizer past Bears keeper Zach King in their third match against a ranked opponent so far this season.

Lenoir-Rhyne applied pressure from the opening whistle on the Tusculum defense, firing five shots on goal in the first 10 minutes only to see Pioneer keeper Alejandro Quiriti make the saves. Tusculum's first shot of the match led directly to its first goal, as a blast by Farid Benletaief went off the cross bar and came to Oscar Rubio Jimenez, who deposited his first goal of the season at 18:21.

The Bears leveled the match at 1-1 at 31:06 on a kick from 30 yards away by de Goya, who registered his third goal of the season. Lenoir-Rhyne gained the lead at 42:02 as Ismael Noumansana crossed a ball to Cascon for his second goal of the year.

Tusculum tried to seek the tying goal in the second half, but could not put a shot on goal until Rocco Menna tested King in the 68th minute. Another shot from Shawn Foster was saved by King in the 69th minute, and King had the answer for Menna in the 75th minute on what proved to be the last shot attempt of the match for the Pioneers.

Quiriti, making his second straight start in goal for the Pioneers, registered seven saves in the match, while King had three stops for the Bears.

Lenoir-Rhyne held an 8-4 edge in corner kicks, while being called for 16 fouls to 10 by the Pioneers. Tusculum was shown three yellow cards in the match, while Lenoir-Rhyne was booked twice.

Tusculum will return to conference action on Wednesday, Sept. 20 on the road against Queens University of Charlotte, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

- TC -