Tornado earn first win in Conference opener

September 16, 2014

FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. – In their first Conference Carolinas match, the King University men's soccer team earned their first win of the season with a pair of second half goals. Chris Hicks gave King the lead, and Alfred Schwab netted the game-winning goal, giving King the 2-1 victory over Emmanuel College.

Ryan Murphy gave King (1-3, 1-0 CC) their first scoring chance in the fifth minute, ripping a shot that was saved by Ryan Brose, the Lion keeper. Emmanuel (0-2-1, 0-1 CC) answered with a shot on target in the eighth minute, but Kari Sveinsson turned the shot. Chris Hicks registered another shot on goal in the 16th minute, but it too was turned away.

Neither team was able to muster a quality chance for the rest of the half, as the game went to the break scoreless.

Emmanuel tallied the first scoring chance of the second half, ripping two shots on goal in the 50th minute when they ripped two shots on goal, but both were turned away by Sveinsson. King the pushed the ball down the field, and Hicks netted his first goal of the season in the 52nd.

Thirteen minutes later Schwab took a pass from Hicks and laced his shot into the back of the net for his first career goal, giving King an insurance goal, which proved to be big.

The Lions then began to pressure the Tornado placing three shots on goal over the next 10 minutes before they finally broke through in the 79th minute. Alex Write connected for his second goal of the season with an assist to Shannon Crooks.

Emmanuel tried to even the game in the final minute, but they sent a header high with three seconds left as King escaped with the 2-1 win.

The Lions outshot the Tornado 12-9, and placed eight shots on goal to King's four. However, the Tornado came up with seven saves to Emmanuel's two.

King will be in action again on Wednesday when they travel to 2013 national runner-up Carson-Newman University. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.