Box Score AXTON, VA — The Cougars of Averett University scored in the game's eighth minute and the Randolph College men's soccer team was held scoreless for the first time this season as the WildCats dropped their last non-conference match of the season 1-0 to Averett in action from the Smith River Sports Complex.
The majority of the game was played in the midfield with very few scoring chances coming. Averett (9-4-1) notched a goal on the first shot of the game, as Magnus Ferngren headed in a cross from Nathan Brown for his third tally of the season. Neither team had many more opportunities in the first half.
In the second stanza, AU had another great chance to score as Ferngran had a point-blank shot but Randolph first-year keeper CJ Stevens (Mechanicsville, VA/Lee-Davis) made a huge save on a one-on-one run. Stevens also came out and challenged on another breakaway, this time winning the ball away from the forward and playing it away from danger.
Randolph (10-5) had its best chance to score in the 72nd minute, as a nice combination pass sent sophomore Jacob Lusczek (Fredericksburg, VA/Chancellor) in down the right sideline. As he came up the right end line, he elected to fire a shot from a tough angle that soared wide right.
The WildCats pressed for the equalizer down the stretch, but the strong backline of Averett held strong. The shutout against Randolph was its first since last year's ODAC Tournament loss to Lynchburg. Randolph outshot the Cougars by a slight 7-6 edge while it earned the corner advantage as well by a 4-1 count.
Stevens finished with two saves in relief action, while AU's Nate Barker made one save on the evening to get the shutout. Sophomore Adam Gilley (West Point, VA/Walsingham) earned his most extensive action of the season, and played well at the left back spot. Tristan Luxner (Powhatan, VA/Powhatan) led the game with three shots, including the lone attempt on net for Randolph.
Randolph returns to Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Wednesday evening for Senior Night against the Marlins of Virginia Wesleyan College at 7 p.m. from WildCat Stadium. Before the contest, the team will honor seniors Timmy Songer (Windsor, VA/Windsor) and Nick Hudson (Glen Allen, VA/J.R. Tucker) .
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