BANNER ELK, N.C. --- Cristobal Morales scored in the 28th minute and the Tusculum University defense made it stand up as the Pioneers defeated Lees-McRae College 1-0 in men's soccer action Thursday afternoon at Tate Field.
The Pioneers (1-0-0), who were 0-4 in games decided by a 1-0 result last season, limited the Bobcats (0-1-0) to three shots on goal and nine shots overall in the match. The goal by Morales came on Tusculum's only shot on goal in the contest, with the Pioneers finishing with seven shot attempts in all.
Nicolas Leite recorded his first career shutout for the Pioneers in his fourth career start, finishing the match with three saves. Lees-McRae keeper Jonathan Kienle had zero saves in the match.
Lees-McRae had the first shot on goal in the fifth minute, but a bouncer from 20 yards from Ryan Aliam was collected by Leite. The Pioneers had the first strong opportunity just a minute later as Asbjorn Saevik broke in on the right side, but his blast went wide to the short side.
The Pioneers had another chance in the 12th minute but a cross to the box was sent high and wide on a bicycle kick by Morales. Tusculum won the first corner kick of the match in the 17th minute, but an attempt by Mo Bouta was wide of target. Lees-McRae had a strong scoring opportunity in the 27th minute but a cross to Harrison Watts was redirected just wide of the short side post.
Tusculum went up 1-0 at 27:39 as Ludvig Radberg carried down the right side and crossed to Morales, who beat Kienle to the left for the Pioneers' first goal of 2023 and the first of Morales' career.
In the second half, Leite made his second save in the 48th minute as he smothered an attempt from the top of the box by Fletcher Dyson. The Bobcats would threaten twice more at the 49th minute, but a pair of shot attempts were knocked down by the Pioneer defense.
Lees-McRae was awarded a free kick from 25 yards out in the 52nd minute, but Dyson's try lofted high over the Tusculum goal. Two minutes later, Dyson had another attempt from just outside 20 yards but his free kick was gathered on a bounce by Leite.
The Bobcats nearly got the equalizer in the 70th minute off another free kick, but Gray Smith redirected the service from Jesper Jonsson off the outside of the far post. Meanwhile, Tusculum was held without a shot attempt in the second half until the 81st minute, when Morales moved down the left side but shot high of the goal.
Tusculum was able to maintain possession for most of the final five minutes, preventing Lees-McRae from having any chance to set up for a potential tying goal.
The Bobcats were whistled for 14 fouls to 10 by the Pioneers, while both sides were shown three yellow cards and earned four corner kicks.
The Pioneers will remain on the road and travel to play Barton on Saturday, Sept. 2 at 4 p.m. in the second of five in a row on the road to begin the season. The Bulldogs played to a 0-0 draw at Southern Wesleyan in their opener on Thursday.
