NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Lipscomb men’s soccer team got the 2016 season off to a bang Friday night.

After a scoreless 45 minutes to open the match, the Bisons recorded three second half goals to take a 3-0 victory in the season opener to sink visiting Florida Atlantic in the Lipscomb/Belmont Challenge at the Lipscomb Soccer Complex.

The Bisons and Owls played a back-and-forth first half with Lipscomb’s defense showing a strong effort by holding FAU to just four shot attempts and one corner kick.

After the break it was junior midfielder Scout Monteith who got the offense jump started with a goal in the 52nd minute.

“We had a game plan coming into tonight of putting them (FAU) under pressure,” Monteith said. “We were just kicking the ball long for a lot of the first part of the game, but once we were able to play it more with our feet and move it a little more, we opened their defense up and I felt we wore them down and our offense took advantage.”

Lipscomb has now won its season opener for the third time in the last four seasons. The Bisons improve to 1-0 with the win while FAU falls to 0-1.

 

SCORING
52’ – LIPSCOMB: Redshirt junior Scout Monteith etched his name in the scoring column off a header at the knees from six yards out to give Lipscomb a 1-0 advantage. The Bisons won a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box when redshirt freshman Logan Paynter played a ball to Monteith for his first career assist.

79’ – LIPSCOMB: The Bisons tacked on an insurance tally off the foot of VCU transfer Ivan Sakou. The junior was set up by freshmen Javier Leija and Malik Shaheed on a little give-and-go at the top of the box. Sakou made a run down the left side of the box uncovered and slotted it in the upper far 90 for his first career goal as a Bison.

82’ – LIPSCOMB: Paynter nailed the dagger just three minutes later on a penalty kick after the FAU goalie was whistled for a foul in the box.

 

WHAT HEAD COACH CHARLES MORROW SAID

“I thought it was a really well-played game by our guys tonight. We knew coming into it, we knew it would be a hard fought match. They play a style that is hard to break down at times.

“Our guys stayed really disciplined in keeping our shape and that allowed us to open things up later offensively.

“When we did get that first goal, the game changed completely. It opened things up and from there we did a much better job of taking advantage of our opportunities.

“I am really excited about the group this season. The energy and feeling on the sideline is pretty exciting for this time of year. Guys really don’t care who get the goals. Everybody wants to play, but they are all dialed in and are playing with a team concept. It’s been a really fun couple of weeks and it is shaping up to be a great season. We can’t wait to share it with the rest of the Lipscomb community.”

 

NOTES

• Monteith’s goal was the second of his career and the first since 2013. He missed last season with an injury.
• The Bisons outshot the Owls 10-6 overall and 7-4 in shots on goal.
• Lipscomb attempted six corner kicks compared to just three for FAU.
• Preseason ASUN Goalkeeper of the Year Micah Bledsoe notched his 11th career clean sheet in the victory. The senior collected four saves in the process.
• Seven newcomers made their Lipscomb debut Friday, including four who drew their first career start.
• Kyle Smith and Paynter paced the team with three shot apiece.
• Paynter led the team with six goals as a freshman in 2015. He recorded his first career 3-point game with a goal and assist.

 

NEXT UP
Lipscomb returns to the pitch 1 p.m. Sunday when it takes on Western Illinois at the Lipscomb Soccer Complex. It will be the final match for the Bisons in the Lipscomb/Belmont Challenge.

“We had a great crowd on hand tonight and I hope to see each of them back out on Sunday,” Morrow said.