MEN'S SOCCER DOWNED BY SPARTANBURG METHODIST, 6-2

PETERSBURG, Va., (Aug. 31, 20015) — Visiting Spartanburg Methodist jumped out an early 2-0 lead and kept the offensive pressure on the Richard Bland College defense, in registering a 6-2 Conference X victory over the Statesmen on Monday afternoon at Statesmen field.

In a game played under cloudy skies, humid conditions and a scattering of light train, the Pioneers won their opening game of the season, thanks in large part to building a 3-0 lead at halftime. The Statesmen would trail 4-0 before sophomore center Eduardo Quintanilla (Manassas, VA/Stonewall Jackson) got his team on the board with the first of his two goals at the 50 minute mark of the second half off a free kick just outside the box.

Richard Bland now stands at 3-2, 1-2, while Spartanburg Methodist improves to 1-0, 1-0. The Statesmen remain home for another Conference X contest against Wake Technical Community College at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2. Spartanburg Methodist hosts Patrick Henry Community College on Saturday, September 5 at 5:00 p.m.

Spartanburg Methodist used its speed and experience to build a 6-1 lead late in the second half before Quintanilla got the Statesmen's second goal off a free kick with 9:18 to play. 

The Pioneers got two goals from sophomore forward Elma N'For (Camerron, Africa/Western). 

Freshman goalie Ciro Labrada (Manassas, VA/Stonewall Jackson) had seven saves for Richard Bland.

"Spartanburg Methodist was as good as I expected they would be," said Richard Bland head coach Eduardo de Souza. "We reacted a little late in the game with both of the goals from Eduardo. They (Spartanburg Methodist) deserved every goal. We'll watch the video tomorrow, learn from this game, and correct the mistakes we made. 

"On Wednesday, Wake Technical will be tough," de Souza added. "There are no easy games and we play in a tough conference. We still have a young team and it's a learning process for them. To play college soccer at any level takes preparation, concentration and passion in each and every game. We have a good group of players. We will put this game behind us and get ready for Wake on Wednesday."