Pioneers Earn 4-2 Victory Behind Teamwide Effort

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Fans and followers of the Spartanburg Methodist College men's soccer team woke up Saturday to see a hungry squad ready to battle. Despite a game time change, the Pioneers put together a complete team effort—on and off the pitch—to earn a 4-2 win over the University of Pikeville.

Spartanburg Methodist (2-6-1, 2-4-1 AAC) played to a scoreless first half, keeping the Bears off the board through the opening 45 minutes.

Pikeville (4-5-1, 3-2-1 AAC) opened the second half with four shot attempts, but each was either blocked by the Pioneer defense or sailed high of goal.

SMC then set the tone for the rest of the match. In a rare play, goalkeeper Francesco Molinar launched a goal kick that found an alert Anthoney Bedolla Menera, who chipped a shot over the charging Pikeville keeper for the game's first goal. The strike energized the SMC sideline.

Pikeville equalized in the 70th minute when Alex Pritchard converted a penalty kick. The Pioneers quickly responded, as Tomas Vega delivered a corner kick into the box in the 78th minute. Rodrigo Pinheiro connected with teammate Yahir Rivera, who put SMC back on top. Just two minutes later, Nils Monchgesang converted a penalty kick of his own to extend the lead to 3-1.

The Bears trimmed the margin in the 84th minute, but SMC sealed the win when Jahmarli Connor netted his first collegiate goal in the 86th. Molinar found a speedy Max Charleston, who set up Connor for the finish to secure the final 4-2 scoreline. Pikeville had two more chances in the closing minutes, but Molinar made key saves to preserve the victory.

A jubilant Pioneer squad celebrated the win and now turns its attention to the next match against Union Commonwealth on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at 4 p.m.