MARS HILL, N.C. --- Sam Bayly scored in each half as 25th-ranked Mars Hill University shut out Tusculum University 2-0 in South Atlantic Conference men's soccer Monday night at Meares Stadium.
Bayly scored in the 28th and 52nd minutes for the Lions (9-2-3, 6-2-2 SAC), who outshot the Pioneers (1-10-2, 1-7-2 SAC) by a 27-11 margin. Noe Delmotte had six saves in goal for the Pioneers, while Logan Cassel made four saves for the Lions.
Mars Hill nearly took the lead just five minutes into the match, but a shot from Bruno Fortes went off the crossbar and the ensuing rebound goal was flagged for offsides. The Pioneers put their first shot on goal in the 24th minute off a free kick, but a one-timer from Federico Belintende was stopped by Cassel.
The Lions went up 1-0 at 27:56 as Bayly curled a free kick into the top corner from 25 yards out for his fourth goal of the season.
Tusculum had a good scoring chance in the 33rd minute, but a shot from 15 yards straight away from Clarenns Sainrimat was caught head-high by Cassel. Mars Hill was credited with an 18-5 shot advantage over Tusculum in the first half, but just three shots were on goal.
Bayly netted his second goal of the night at 51:43 as Cam Watts collected a loose ball near the end line and passed to the middle, where Bayly settled the ball and fired a shot past a diving Delmotte.
The Pioneers tested Cassel twice more, first forcing him to leap to his left to knock down a shot from Asbjorn Saevik in the 80th minute. With just over two minutes left, Sainrimat chased down a loose ball behind the defense, but his shot from an angle went off the near post.
Tusculum did succeed in keeping SAC goal leader Peter Plougmand off the scoresheet for just the second time this season. Plougmand, who is tied for third in Division II with 20 goals, had recorded at least one point in 10 straight matches and scored eight goals during a four-match goal streak. Tusculum held Plougmand pointless despite him being credited with eight shot attempts.
Tusculum will close its 2024 season on Wednesday, Nov. 6 when the Pioneers host Carson-Newman on Senior Night at 7:30 p.m. at Pioneer Field. The Eagles (4-8-3, 3-6-1 SAC) must beat the Pioneers and have Wingate either lose or draw at Coker in order to take the eighth and final spot in the upcoming SAC Championship tournament.
