Posted: Sep 15, 2019
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – The LaGrange College men's soccer team was looking to extend its winning streak to three games on Sunday afternoon, but the Panthers ran into the high-powered offense of N.C. Wesleyan and suffered a 6-0 setback in USA South action.
The Panthers (2-4, 1-1 USA South) picked up three conference points on Saturday afternoon in a 2-1 double-overtime comeback win at Methodist. LaGrange's final 11 games of the year are all conference matchups with seven being played at Panther Field.
Wesleyan improved to 4-1 on the season and 2-0 in the highly-competitive USA South.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Bishops were led by a two-goal game by junior midfielder Baboucarr Nije, while junior forward Dominique Giovannini registered a goal and an assist. Nije scored in the eighth and 18th minutes, giving Wesleyan a 2-0 advantage. Sophomore forward Lorenzo Cocchia found the back of the net 1:16 after Nije's second goal, pushing the lead up to 3-0 less than 20 minutes into the game.
- Freshman midfielder Blake Webb, who has been phenomenal in his rookie year with a goal and three assists through six games, tried to put LaGrange on the scoreboard during the 15th minute, but his attempt was denied by Bishops sophomore goalkeeper Tobias Borzel.
- Panthers freshman goalkeeper Gian Dev, who picked up his first collegiate win and shutout during a 5-0 triumph over Toccoa Falls on Sept. 11, kept LaGrange within striking distance with two big saves in the 29th and 31st minutes.
- During the 58th minute, junior defender Michael Deese joined the attack for the Panthers and rifled a shot on target, but his attempt was corralled by Borzel.
- Wesleyan scored six minutes into the second half, and then sophomore midfielder David Olabisi (69th minute) and Giovannini (72rd minute) tacked on the final two goals.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Wesleyan led the shots category, 21-2, and held a 14-2 advantage in shots on goal.
- Dev posted a game-high seven saves, while the Panthers also tallied a team save during a scramble in the 49th minute.
- The 2018 matchup between LaGrange and Wesleyan was a thrilling game at Panther Field with the Bishops escaping with a 3-2 overtime win.
UP NEXT:
- The Panthers will be home for three straight games, beginning with a 2 p.m. matchup against Averett on Saturday at Panther Field.
