COLUMBIA, S.C. (Sept. 18, 2018) – Though three members of the Truett McConnell University men's soccer team found the back of the net, a late goal by Columbia International University saw the Bears' second Appalachian Athletic Conference loss. The Bears (4-2, 1-2 AAC) fell to the undefeated Rams (5-0, 1-0 AAC) in a battle 4-3.

FIRST HALF ADVANTAGE (2-1)

The first 45 minutes of play saw both teams connecting for seven shots apiece. Senior Jacob Sharp got the Bears on the scoreboard first after netting his first goal of the season 21 minutes into the game (1-0). Team captain Joao Costa, who is ranked fifth in the country in shots per game (3.0), drilled his team-leading seventh goal of the season off the feet of freshman Daniel Holt to put TMU at a two-goal advantage (2-0).

Nonetheless, CIU earned their first goal of the night following a corner kick with two minutes remaining to minimize the deficit going into the half (2-1).

SECOND HALF HEARTBREAKER

Similar to the first 45 minutes, both teams went head to head tallying a total of nine goals apiece. Nonetheless, the Rams went on to match TMU's two goals 12 minutes into the half and went on to take the lead in the 64th minute (3-2). The Bears, however, had a response of their own. With just four minutes to go, Costa found the feet of junior Jaime Ortega and Ortega delivered the game-tying goal for his first career goal (3-3).

As the scoreboard counted down to 1:15, CIU crossed a ball into the box which led to the game-winning goal securing their first conference win over the Bears (4-3).

LEADERS

Costa led with eight shots, four on goal, while Holt added three. Evan Gaffney compiled a total of five saves on the night.

UP NEXT

The Bears are on the road for more AAC play on Wednesday, Sept. 26, at Montreat College at 7:15 p.m., and return home to the TMU Soccer Complex on Saturday, Sept. 29, at 2:00 p.m., to face Bryan College.