Men's Soccer Upsets #17 Mars Hill in Overtime

MARS HILL, NC -- Carson Smith's (Mooresville, NC/Mooresville HS) overtime goal gave visiting Catawba a 2-1 upset over 17th-ranked Mars Hill in South Atlantic Conference men's soccer action on Friday night at Mears Stadium.  The victory improves the Catawba Indians to 5-2-3 overall and 1-0-3 in the SAC, while the Lions fall to 8-2 and 3-1.

Catawba rallied late to send the match to extra time then with just over 30 seconds to go in the first session, Smith headed in a throw in from Corey Faughnan (Jacksonville, NC/Jacksonville HS) to complete the upset.  The Indians survived a Mars Hill free kick at the top of the box midway through the overtime period.

Mars Hill took the lead in the 79th minute as Felipe Ferraro drilled home a shot from 20 yards out.  As it has done several times this season, Catawba quickly answered.  Less than a minute and a half later Brian Woulfe (Naas, IRELAND/Monteverde Academy) put in the equalizer, bombing in a goal from 50-yards out.

The Lions held a 17-10 edge in shots, but put just four on target.  Frankie Cardelle (Salisbury, NC/Salisbury HS) stopped three of those shots.  Five of the 10 Catawba shots were on goal with Zac Scott also making three saves. 

Catawba travels to Queens on Wednesday for a 7:30 p.m. match.  The Indians are riding a seven-match unbeaten streak.