CCU

Men's Soccer Falls 3-2 in Season Opener

       

Men's Soccer Falls 3-2 in Season Opener

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CONWAY, S.C. – The Coastal Carolina men’s soccer team dropped a 3-2 decision to Florida Gulf Coast University during the 2007 season opener in the first day of action at the CCU/adidas Invitational at the CCU Soccer Field. Junior Djamel Bekka (Tulsa, Okla./Union) recorded a goal and an assist for the Chanticleers.

Despite outshooting the Eagles, 13-11, CCU falls to 19-8-1 all-time in season openers.

The contest was the first soccer game in FGCU history as three different Eagles scored to secure the program's first victory.

CCU registered the contest's first goal in the fourth minute after Bekka found senior Lachlan Cahill (Kiama, Australia/Kiama) who drained a 20-yard shot. The Chants played 71:45 of the contest a man down after goalkeeper Phillip Latham (Annandale, Va./Falls Church) was given a red card 18 minutes into the contest leading to a successful pentalty kick by Jonathan Koshko to even the game, 1-1. 

The contest remained tied until Collin Trent nailed a breakaway goal in the 62nd minute. A two-on-one led to an Anthony Forde goal extending the FGCU advantage to 3-1 in the 73rd minute. The score moved to 3-2 after Bekka ripped a 15-yarder off a Ross Kelly (Sugar Land, Texas/Clements) assist in the 78th minute. The Chants fired off several shots in the contests final minutes but the comeback attempt fell just short. 

Freshman Matt Smith (Cape Canaveral, Fla./Merritt Island) took over in goal after Latham's ejection, recording two saves in 60:11 of action. Senior Aaron Weant (Morrisville, N.C./Green Hope) played the final 11:34 between the posts for the Chants. Adam Glick posted three saves for the Eagles.

The Chants will return to the field Sunday Sept. 2, at 2 p.m., to face Saint Joseph's University who fell to Furman University 6-0 eariler in CCU/adidas Invitational action. FGCU and Furman will square-off at 11:30 a.m. Sunday.