HICKORY, N.C. --- Adrian Martina scored on a header with 32 seconds remaining as Lenoir-Rhyne University stole a 1-0 victory from Tusculum University in South Atlantic Conference men's soccer action Saturday evening.
The start of the match was delayed two hours by weather, and it appeared that both sides would be content with a draw until the final run of the match from the Bears' Harri Rowe, which resulted in a service to the top of the box that Martina headed over Pioneer keeper Nicolas Leite for the winner.
The Bears (1-1-1, 1-0-0 SAC) outshot the Pioneers (3-1-0, 0-1-0 SAC) by an 11-7 margin in the match. The teams combined for 10 yellow cards, while 15 of the 21 fouls in the match were called on Lenoir-Rhyne.
Martina's winning goal marked the second straight season that he scored the only goal in a 1-0 win for Lenoir-Rhyne over Tusculum. Last year, his goal in the 78th minute was the difference as the Bears defeated the Pioneers in Greeneville.
Tusculum had the first shot of the match in the fourth minute, but a blast from the top of the box from Ludvig Radberg was high of the target. Lenoir-Rhyne got its first opportunity in the fifth minute inside the box, but a header from Macoy Strawn was too high.
Cristobal Morales had the first shot on goal from 20 yards in the 14th minute, but his attempt was smothered by Bears keeper Juan Basabe. Lenoir-Rhyne's first shot came less than a minute later, with an attempt from 25 yards from Martina collected by Leite to his left.
Tusculum had a good attempt in the 31st minute on a quick left-footed strike from 15 yards by Morales, but Basabe was able to react to make the save at head height. Leite would respond with a pair of saves in a span of less than a minute against the Bears' Hector Nieto, the second off a turnover in the back. Nieto would have another chance in the final minute of the half but sent the ball wide of the far post.
In the second half, Artur Marques had the first strong run for the Pioneers as he carried down the left side and let go a shot from 15 yards that was deflected over the end line by the Bears' defense in the 57th minute.
Lenoir-Rhyne had a good scoring chance in the 66th minute as Nieto carried along the end line and took a short-range shot that was deflected out of play by Leite. Rowe had a shot on target from 30 yards in the 74th minute that was cradled by Leite.
The Bears had a corner kick in the 82nd minute and nearly scored, as a loose ball bounced off the crossbar before Leite was able to smother it and keep the match scoreless until Martina's late heroics.
Leite, who was seeking his fourth straight shutout to begin the season, finished with five saves for the Pioneers while Basabe had two saves for the Bears.
Tusculum will regroup and play its fifth straight road match to open the season on Wednesday, Sept. 13 when the Pioneers visit Belmont Abbey for a 7 p.m. match. The Crusaders will carry a 2-1-1 record into Wednesday's contest following a 2-0 win over Chowan on Saturday.
