CLEVELAND, Ga. (Sept. 12, 2018) – Joao Costa and Giovanni Giraudo led the Truett McConnell University men's soccer team in an Appalachian Athletic Conference defeat over Tennessee Wesleyan University, who are both receiving votes in the latest NAIA national top 25, on Wednesday night at the TMU Soccer Complex. The Bears (4-1, 1-1 AAC) beat the Bulldogs (5-2, 1-1 AAC) in a physical match 2-1.

THE BATTLE

For the second game in a row, Costa took a free kick and hammered the ball above the defensive wall and into the top left corner just out of reach of the keeper's hands to get the scoring started for the Bears (1-0). With 27:21 remaining, TMU's Evan Gaffney made a handful of impressive saves but the Bulldogs managed to find the back of the net to make the score even going into the second half (1-1). Dylan McKendry heading the ball that followed TMU's corner kick going just wide of the post is amongst the handful of close opportunities the Bears saw.

Immediately, TMU stormed out on the field from halftime determined to seal the deal. Just 1:02 into the second half, Costa found Giraudo to his left inside the box and Giraudo fired the shot that propeled the Bears to a 2-1 victory over the Bulldogs for their first AAC and fourth win of the season.

The possession was spread pretty evenly the rest of the game as both teams shot eight apiece and both keepers tallied three saves apiece.

LEADERS

Costa and Victor Clemente connected for three shots apiece while senior Jacob Sharp shot twice, once on goal. Gaffney was credited a total of eight saves on the night.

UP NEXT

TMU's nonconference game for Saturday, Sept. 15, against Southeastern University has been postponed due to predicted weather. AAC play will continue for the Bears on the road at Montreat College on Wednesday, Sept. 26, at 7:15 p.m.