Box Score by Cory Guinn
WILSON, N.C. –In the first Conference Carolinas matchup of the young 2015 season, the Barton College men's soccer team suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Erskine College on Saturday afternoon at the Barton Outdoor Athletics Complex.
The goal for the Flying Fleet came in the 87th minute of play from the foot of Joe O'Neill on an assist from Ross Henderson. Erskine drove deep into Barton territory and sent a cross into the box which Henderson met with his head. After Bulldog keeper Jens Madsen Hordvik stopped the initial header, O'Neill collected the deflection and buried a shot into the back of the net for the one-goal lead.
Barton was able to fire five shots in the first half, including two that found the frame rather than the net, leaving the home team scoreless.
The first half of play was a physical affair for both squads with 12 combined fouls, including a red card handed out to senior defender Jovan Gracia. After the ejection, Barton was forced to the play the final five minutes of the half down one player.
Just two minutes into the second half, Erskine's Cameron Whitehurst was also given a red card, taking him from the game and leaving both teams with 10 players on the field.
The Bulldogs again recorded five shots in the second half with none of the attempts crossing the line as Erskine keeper C.J. Cluck totaled seven saves in the winning effort.
Erskine totaled 13 shots in the game, including seven on goal, as Hordvick recorded a season-high six saves in the loss.
The Royal Blue and White will take to the pitch again on Wednesday, Sept. 16 when the team takes on conference foe Pfeiffer University at 7 p.m. in Misenheimer, N.C.
