Bisons storm back with second-half surge to claim first win in ASUN opener
Lipscomb men’s soccer secured its first win of the season with a 3-1 comeback victory over Queens University of Charlotte on Saturday night at the Lipscomb Soccer Complex.
The Bisons’ offense came alive in the second half, erasing a halftime deficit by scoring three unanswered goals to seal the win and open ASUN Conference play on a high note.
“Really proud of the guys’ response after giving up an unfortunate goal,” said Lipscomb Head Coach Charles Morrow. “This is a really stingy defense, and for us to score during the second, keep our heads in a game that was a little bit chippy at times, I thought the guys did a great job.”
The first half was a defensive struggle initially, with both squads keeping tight backlines. Redshirt senior midfielder Patrick Walz created a dangerous opportunity for Lipscomb in the 11th minute, while Queens’ junior defender Rodrigo Canovas rattled the goal post on a free kick just two minutes later.
Lipscomb missed another opportunity to finish in the 31st minute, and the Royals immediately capitalized. In the 33rd minute, sophomore midfielder Luis Vera Mayorca struck a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner, assisted by freshman forward Isaac Chromey and graduate student midfielder Iker Erazo. Lipscomb nearly answered in the 40th minute, but freshman defender Enzo Evangelista’s header was saved by Queens senior goalkeeper Evan Hart, leaving the Bisons down 1–0 at the break.
At halftime, Coach Morrow made a key tactical adjustment, instructing the team to move players higher up the pitch to bypass the Royals’ press. The strategy paid off immediately in the 51st minute after a lengthy video review awarded Lipscomb a penalty kick. Junior defender Yonis Kireh stepped up to the spot and calmly blasted the equalizer into the top right corner of the net.
“We had the ascendants on the game,” Kireh said. “We were sharper and better in front of the gun… we just won.”
Lipscomb was awarded another penalty just 16 minutes later in the 67th minute. Freshman forward James Pidutti took the high-pressure shot and coolly buried it into the bottom right corner to claim the lead.
“Oh, well, obviously it feels amazing,” Pidutti said. “Our team has been working super hard this past couple months. And yeah, to score the winning goal feels amazing, honestly. My family’s here to watch, so it was great to score for them.”
Morrow praised the freshman’s composure on the deciding play. “Really, really proud of Pidutti to step up and take that away from… I know Yonis wanted it, uh, but I thought it was the right move for Pidutti to step up and take it. Glad he did.”
The match grew increasingly physical, resulting in a red card for Queens’ senior defender Nathan Tozzi in the 80th minute. Defensively, both squads held firm under pressure as goalkeepers redshirt junior Alex Kara and Hart each recorded three saves on the night to keep the match within reach for their respective squads.
Playing with a man advantage, freshman forward Jorge Morejón completed the scoring clinic in the 85th minute. Morejón anticipated a mistake by Hart, who committed much too early, leaving the goal post completely wide open for an easy finish.
“I’m really happy—really happy—because the start of the season hadn’t been the best,” Morejón said. “On a personal level, I’m very happy to be able to help the squad; ultimately, a forward needs to score, so I’m pleased to contribute in that way.”
The Bisons will hit the road for their next game, traveling across town to face city rival Belmont on Tuesday night at E.S. Rose Park for the 29th edition of the Battle of the Boulevard. The all-time series between the two programs is currently deadlocked at 12–12–4.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s just all about recovery and getting ready for Belmont,” Morrow said. “What we’ll see at Belmont, particularly at their place… it’ll be a battle for sure on a surface that’s less than ideal. But, you know, I think this group’s ready for it.”
Featured image taken by Frances Inwood.
