CLINTON, S.C. – The Presbyterian College men's soccer team
began its preseason slate on Tuesday night against the College of Charleston,
dropping a 3-0 exhibition to the Cougars after a 90-minute match and a
30-minute extra period.
The Blue Hose offered several bright glimpses early in the
season despite the result, as Byron Quinatoa (Columbia, S.C.) and Oliver Nobels
(Columbia, S.C.) both registered two shots on goals each. PC totaled 17 shots
total, one shy of the College of Charleston's shot count.
Goalkeeper Tanner Osborne (Lexington, S.C.) made one save in
the first half and stopped five shots in the second, including two dramatic diving
saves minutes after the game's third goal. Freshman Ethan Watson (Taylorsville,
Ga.) made four saves in relief after entering in the 78th minute.
The Cougars entered Tuesday's match ranked No. 44 in the
country according to TopDrawerSoccer.com, but the Blue Hose put the pressure on
the visiting side shortly after the opening whistle, putting several shots
toward the Charleston net midway through the first half.
Despite the PC attack, the Cougars put two goals on the
board less than two minutes apart beginning in the 29th minute. Sean
de Silva assisted on both, sending a corner kick to the head of Connor Coons
for the first score before de Silva crossed the ball to the far side of the
goal box to set up goal number two from Andy Craven. Craven's goal came in the
31st minute and put the Blue Hose in a 2-0 hole after the first half.
The College of Charleston added another a little over 20
minutes into the second half on a cross from Troy Peterson to Tanner Clay. The
cross into the box set up a shot aimed at the far side of the net and gave the
Cougars a three-goal advantage in the 68th minute.
Senior Bobby Keskey (Louisville, Ky.) and junior Thomas
Palma (Greenville, S.C.) provided a solid display in the back half of the PC
end, as Keskey took a first-half chance away from a Charleston defender in powerful
fashion and Palma frequently provided support upfield.
Twenty players took the field for PC, including 10
newcomers. Hollie Gray (West Des Moines, Ill.) stretched the field with speed on
the outside and Mike Day (Columbia, S.C.) and Jared Mitchell (Huntsville, Ala.)
each registered two shots.
PC will play two more preseason scrimmages, first hosting Wofford
on Monday, August 22, before hosting Oglethorpe the following day. Both matches
will start at 7 p.m. at Edens Field at Martin Stadium.
