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Richard Bland Falls On The Road At Spartanburg Methodist 3-2

Richard Bland Falls On The Road At Spartanburg Methodist 3-2

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Sophomore Sebastian Hendi/Alexandria and freshman Eduardo
Pessoa/Rio de Janeiro, Brazil each scored second-half goals, but Richard Bland College dropped a 3-2 Region X Conference road decision at Spartanburg Methodist (S.C.) College on Saturday afternoon in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Freshmen Miguel Ramos/Casal de Cambra, Portugal and Danny Torres/Bucaramga, Columbia each added assists for the visiting Statesmen (3-3, 2-3 Region X) against the host Pioneers (5-0, 2-0 Region X). RBC will return home to play the reserve team of North Carolina Wesleyan College on Tuesday, September 13 at Statesman Field beginning at 4 p.m.

"We started well and it was a scoreless match during the first half," said third-year head coach Eduardo de Souza. "They scored two quick goals in the second half, and though we came back, it was not enough. We're playing good soccer but just need to work on changing our mentality and showing more character early in our matches."

Following the well-played opening 45 minutes that witnessed no goals by either team, SMC scored two early goals in the second half to lead 2-0. Kevin Harris scored the first goal at 47:00, assisted by Tom Mitchinson, while Justis Enlow added the second goal at 50:00, assisted by Harris.

Richard Bland answered back with a goal from Hendi at 54:00, assisted by Ramos after a sideline throw in to Hendi, who dribbled into the box and beat the keeper with a hard shot into the back of the net.

The Pioneers added their third goal at 71:00, scored by Malcolm Frago, and assisted by Kwaku Dwemena.

The Statesmen made it a one-goal match once again at 81:00 when Pessoa scored from the right side of the box after a cross into the box from Torres. Unfortunately, the pressing guests could not find the late equalizer.

Freshman goalkeeper Justin Ennis/Gainesville started and played the entire 90 minutes in front of the net for RBC, recording five saves while yielding the three goals.

SMC had a narrow 13-11 advantage in shots against RBC, though the Statesmen led 7-6 in attempts on goal. RBC also had a 5-2 edge in corner kicks.