Hornets drop to 3-4-1 overall with a 0-3 lose to Nationally ranked Auburn University Montgomery. The Hornets started off nervous and unsure as they played their third straight nationally ranked team. The AUM Senators scored two goals in the first nine minutes, proving that they deserve to be the #8 team in the nation. After a scramble in the box , Senator Forward Sveinbjorn Jonasson drilled a point blank shot at the 4 minute mark to give the visitors a 1-0.
Five minutes later, a very questionable handling call in the box, gave the Senators a penalty kick. Sigurjon Jonsson converted it to give the Senators a 2-0 lead within the first 9 minutes.
The Hornets settled down and created many chances the rest of the half. At the 15 minute mark, Rani Alkoptan's header from Morgan Yarborough beat the keeper, but missed the back of the net, just sailing over the crossbar. Later on, SPSU forward, Mamadou Danso had an excellent opportunity to score, but again the Senator defense held tight and only gave up a corner kick. At the 44th minute, Alkoptan, again had a good look on goal that barely missed the target.
The start of the second half began as the first half ended for the Hornets, as Junior Midfielder, James Grant ,broke free twice and was denied by the Senator GK, Nenad Cudic.
The Senators scored their final goal on a converted penalty kick by Jonsson, who finished with 2 goals on the day. SPSU thought that they finally got on the scoreboard with a Rani Alkoptan goal, but the referees deemed him off-side.
"AUM proved that they deserve to be one of the elite teams in the nation. Their experience and technical ability was the difference today. Even though we did some nice things going forward, it just wasn't good enough. I think that our youth was a major factor today. Starting 8 freshmen is always hard, but against a team like AUM, it is a bad situation to be in", said Coach Momeni.
SPSU heads on the road on September 21st for a weekend trip to Kentucky to play KY Wesleyan and Brescia University.
SPSU Athletics 1100 S. Marietta Pkwy Marietta, GA 30060
Men's Soccer
Ph: 678.915.3644
Fax: 678.915.5515
1100 South Marietta Parkway
Marietta, GA 30060-2896
678-915-SPSU (7778)
1-800-635-3204
