Box Score MARYVILLE, Tenn.- The Randolph men's soccer team began its 2019 season on the road at the Maryville Bi-Centennial Classic. The Wildcats fell behind in the first half and rallied late but fell short in the end to Covenant College 3-2.
The Scots attacked early in the first half and scored in the ninth minute to lead 1-0. The score would stay that way until the 31st minute when Covenant struck again to go up 2-0.
Covenant's lead went to 3-0 just over nine minutes into the second half. Randolph would not back down as it looked to get its way back into the game. Evan Blow (Charlottesville, Va./Charlottesville) took a corner kick at 66:11 and sent it into play. The WildCats would make good 38 seconds later as Gabe Krueger (Jacksonville, N.C./White Oak) got a shot off and into the back of the net to make is 3-1.
Late in the game in the 87th minute, Krueger took a shot that deflected off of the post. He later made good on his second attempt as it got in and the 'Cats clawed their way back to make the score 3-2 with three minutes remaining to play. Randolph only got one shot off in the 89th minute but Blow's attempt went high.
Covenant had a 17-15 lead in total shots and in corner kicks 9-5. Of Randolph's 15 shots, Noah Carney had four of them.
Erick Cortez-Martinez (Winston-Salem, N.C./North Forsyth) had five saves in goal for the WildCats.
Randolph plays host Maryville tomorrow evening. Game time is at 6:00 p.m.
