Box Score BIRMINGHAM, Ala. Randolph men's soccer opened its 2017 season on the road at the Birmingham-Southern Labor Day Classic on Friday night. The Wildcats scored late to get on the board but it was not enough as the host Panthers held off for a 2-1 victory.
The two teams drew even in the first half. Birmingham-Southern outshot Randolph 4-2 in the frame but starting goalkeeper Erick Cortez-Martinez (Winston-Salem, N.C./North Fortsyth) kept the home team off the board with three saves.
In the early moments of the second half, Randolph had two shot opportunities denied. The Panthers scored on Ryan Hepp's goal at 52:12. Hepp would score again in the 72nd minute on an assist by Luke Hambleton to put Birmingham-Southern ahead 2-0.
The WIldCats got on the board in the 86th minute. A foul was called on the Panthers inside of the box. Randolph's Adam Watson (Richmond, Va./Midlothian) nailed the penalty kick goal to make it 2-1. Neither team would get a shot off for the remainder of the contest as the host Panthers held on for the win.
Birmingham-Southern led in total shots 10-8. Watson finished with three shots on goal. Cortez-Martinez had three saves overall with the defense adding another. Corner kicks did favor the WildCats 7-5.
The WildCats return to the pitch tomorrow afternoon when they face Sewanne at Goldfarb Field. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m. Eastern.
