The North Greenville Trailblazers battled Lander University in a back-and-forth non-conference matchup in Greenwood, South Carolina, ultimately falling to the Bearcats 3-2. North Greenville scored first in the match, and after the Bearcats responded with three consecutive goals, the Trailblazers would pull back within a goal. However, Lander would hold off the Trailblazers over the final 39 minutes to secure the win. The loss moved NGU to 0-3 on the season, while Lander improved to 1-1-1.
North Greenville opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Eduardo Forte found the back of the net at the 12:45 mark for his first goal of the season, giving the Trailblazers an early 1-0 advantage. Lander answered less than three minutes later when Felipe Costa scored off assists from Savvas Chionakis and Orran Mushet to even the match at 1-1.
The Bearcats moved in front in the 33rd minute when Mushet converted a penalty kick to make it 2-1. Lander then added another goal shortly before halftime, with Declan Okwu scoring off an assist from Mateo Scialacomo at the 42:26 mark. The late goal sent North Greenville into the break trailing 3-1 despite the Trailblazers holding a 7-6 advantage in first-half shots.
North Greenville quickly cut into the deficit after halftime. Kai Goodman converted a penalty kick at 50:18 for his first goal of the season, bringing the Trailblazers within 3-2 with nearly 40 minutes remaining. The NGU defense kept Lander off the board throughout the second half, but the Trailblazers were unable to find the equalizer as the Bearcats held on for the one-goal victory.
Forte led North Greenville with three shots and scored on his lone attempt on goal, while Goodman recorded two shots and converted his penalty kick. Brennen Lamont came off the bench to put both of his attempts on goal. Tomas Cabrera, Alec Myers, Jesse Zborovsky and Conor Campbell also recorded shots for NGU.
North Greenville finished with 11 shots, including 4 on goal, compared to 13 shots and 6 on target for Lander. Cohen Brinkley played all 90 minutes in goal and recorded three saves.
The Trailblazers will face the Belmont Abbey Crusaders on Tuesday, September 8th in Belmont, North Carolina.
