WILSON, N.C.-Sophomore midfielder Erik Pajunk scored twice as host Barton College handed Conference Carolinas preseason favorites and league previously undefeated Limestone College a 2-1 loss on Saturday night to cap a festive Family Weekend for the Bulldogs.

Pajunk continued his torrid play with a pair of second half goals that lifted Barton to its fourth consecutive victory. The Bulldogs improved to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the league after winning the match-up of two teams that shared the 10th spot in the current National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Southeast Region Poll.

Barton fifth year head coach Matt Akins said, “It was a signature win tonight for the Bulldogs where we had numerous players that had breakout games. We finished out the game very well tonight.  I am very excited with the team’s progression as they showed a lot of heart.”

The Saints were in danger of being shutout for the first time this season but a last-minute foul call inside the Bulldogs box gave sophomore Larry Mahon (Kildare, Ireland) a penalty kick that he was able to convert on with a hard shot into the back of the net. Barton then maintained possession for the final 56 seconds handing Limestone its first loss in its last five games. The Saints left town with 5-3 overall and 3-1 league ledgers.

After a scoreless first half, Pajunk put the Bulldogs on the board with a corner kick he took in the 64th minute. Pajunk attempted the corner from the left sideline and curled a long volley past the goalie and inside the far right post.

Pajunk netted the eventual game-winner in the 84th minute on a breakaway that was set up on a flick pass by freshman Dante De Luca (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Pajunk received the ball at the top of the box, dribbled to the left post drawing out Limestone senior goalkeeper H.B. Lockwood (Anderson, S.C.) and then popped an accurate soft shot over him.

Pajunk – ranked No. 4 in the current NCAA Division II statistics report with 3.0 points per game – increased his team-high totals to seven goals and 21 points. Pajunk has at least two points in all seven Barton trips to the pitch this season.

The Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, product had several more opportunities to score taking a game-high eight shots, including six on goal, but four of Lockwood’s six saves came against Pajunk.

Senior netminder Brian Riesenberg (Fort Thomas, Ky.) was poised for his second straight shutout making eight saves before the PK was awarded in the 90th minute. Riesenberg has been the winning goalie in all six wins for Barton.

Riesenberg made three of his eight saves on sophomore Jack Bailey (London, England), who entered the game leading all players with six goals. Limestone finished with a narrow 17-16 shot edge with Bailey taking seven tries.

Barton goes for a fifth straight win on Wednesday when the Bulldogs host league foe Queens University of Charlotte at 7 p.m.