HICKORY, N.C. - The Lander Bearcats came into Hickory and took down Lenoir-Rhyne on Wednesday, defeating the No. 7 Bears 1-0.
Lander's Ellisyn Poland headed in a cross in the 70th minute for the lone goal of the game.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: (RV) Lander 1, #7 Lenoir-Rhyne 0
Records: Lander (4-0-1), Lenoir-Rhyne (3-2)
Location: Hickory, N.C. | Moretz Sports Athletic Complex.
STORY OF THE MATCH:
- Lenoir-Rhyne pushed forward quickly, putting up two shots in the first five minutes.
- Brady Livingston had Lenoir-Rhyne's best chance of the game, putting a short shot just over the net late in the first half.
- Both goalies made saves early in the second half.
- Lander broke through with the game winning goal in the 70th minute on a header at the back post.
- Kennedy Flowers and Alexis Cagno had shots blocked late in the game.
STATS OF THE MATCH:
- Lenoir-Rhyne out-shot Lander 12-8, but the Bearcats held a 3-2 edge in shots-on-goal.
- There were eight yellow cards in this game, four to each team.
- The teams combined for just five corner kicks in the match as most of the game was played in the midfield.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- The series is tied 2-2 all time.
- After playing just once prior to 2024, the programs have played in each of the past three years.
- These teams matched up in last year's region championship game, a 1-0 LR victory.
UP NEXT: Lenoir-Rhyne will look to rebound at Lincoln Memorial on Saturday. The Railsplitters are 1-1-2 and coming off a 2-0 win over Georgia College. Game time is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. from Harrogate, Tennessee.
