DAYTON, Tenn. – The Truett McConnell Bears (6-1-2 overall, 5-0-0 AAC) are off to their best start to Appalachian Athletic Conference play in program history after besting the Bryan College Lions (1-5-1 overall, 1-2-1 conference) with a seven-goal shutout on the road Wednesday.
TMU has now scored a goal within the first 13 minutes of competition in all but two contests this season, including three out of five conference matches.
Pablo Farrona had the honors this time around, netting the game opener and decider in the 13
th minute for his fifth goal of the season.
Less than one minute was needed for the Bears to add insurance to their lead, as
Jovica Lazarevic claimed his first of two goals in the match in the 14
th minute to continue his campaign for 2026 AAC Golden Boot. The goal was created by Farrona, one of three assists on the night for the senior.
Man of the match
Guillermo Peino made his first of many marks in the scorebook before the end of the first half, finishing a pass from
Pablo Farrona to earn his first goal of the season.
Farrona would add to his playmaking stat total just seven minutes after intermission off Lazarevic's second goal of the game. With the pass, Farrona now holds the Truett McConnell men's soccer program record for assists in a single season with 11. The Spaniard also leads the NAIA in the category.
"I'm never satisfied. We keep pushing and keep growing, every single day," Farrona said.
Peino was the center of the offense in the closing minutes, obtaining his second goal of the match and season in the 80
th minute and later setting up
Carlos Ruiz on back-to-back scores to close out the win.
Jakob Hendrickson had a masterclass in front of the net, stopping all seven shots on goal he faced and extending his season save percentage up to .826, the best mark in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. The shutout marks his fourth clean sheet on the year and third against AAC opponents.
Men's soccer looks to defend their six-game win streak on Saturday with a home match against the Milligan University Buffaloes on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
