September 20, 2025

Coker scores late to defeat C-N

Because of a weather delay with the women’s soccer game, Carson-Newman (0-4-2, 0-2 SAC) and Coker (1-0-3, 1-0 SAC) kicked off two hours after originally scheduled start time. The Cobras scored a late goal to sneak past C-N 1-0 on a late Saturday evening at Coker’s Athletic Field.

Carson-Newman

0-4-2, 0-2-0

Coker

1-0-3, 1-0-0

Final	1	2	T
Carson-Newman (0-4-2, 0-2-0)	0	0	0
Coker (1-0-3, 1-0-0)	0	1	1

Box Score (PDF)

HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Because of a weather delay with the women's soccer game, Carson-Newman (0-4-2, 0-2 SAC) and Coker (1-0-3, 1-0 SAC) kicked off two hours after originally scheduled start time. The Cobras scored a late goal to sneak past C-N 1-0 on a late Saturday evening at Coker's Athletic Field.

"The metrics of soccer are very simple," Carson-Newman head coach Stephen Lyons said. "Right now, we are yet to keep a clean sheet and have only scored one goal from open play. The effort and possession have been good, but that alone does not win games. We need to find a way to correct that quickly, to get anything going this season."

Three minutes into the game came the first shot on goal. Alexis Abalam ripped a shot at C-N goalkeeper Elijah Buford (Atlanta, Ga.) who made his first save of the match.

The Eagles offense would begin to shift the momentum to their side early in the opening half. Shots on goal from Ben Dukes (Southampton, England) and Maxime Wester (Brussel, Belgium) were saved by Coker goalkeeper Ismael Caria in the 14th and 18th minute.

Buford was called upon one more time in the opening half. Abalam tested him again, but the junior goalkeeper made a second first half save.

The final shot on goal in the opening half came from Rhydian Williams (Conwy, Wales). Caria made the stop to keep the match level at intermission.

There were just three shots in the first 20 minutes after halftime, two of which came from C-N. Dukes tried his hand again, but Caria stopped another in the 48th minute.

Coker would attempt four of the next five shots from the 65th to 76th minutes. Three of those shots missed high and the game was scoreless with 14 minutes to play.

The Cobras would ultimately win the game off a corner kick in the 82nd minute. Buford punched away the initial ball, but it went toward the back post. That's where headers ensued from Myles Jackson and Sebastian Gough, to set up Yonatan Cohen to strike in front of goal to make it 1-0 Coker.

Carson-Newman's best chance to equalize after the goal came less than a minute later. Dukes created havoc in the box, but near-sided shot toward goal was stopped in the 83rd minute.

The Eagles were superefficient with their shots, seeing seven of the ten hit the target. Unfortunately, two Coker goalkeepers combined to make all seven stops.

Buford four saves for C-N on five shots his way. Buford and C-N have now allowed one goal or less on three occasions and are still winless.

Dukes took nearly half of C-N's shots, while five others had at least one as well.

The match was very physical, seeing the two teams combine for 31 fouls. Coker had 18 to C-N's 13.

It's a short turnaround for Carson-Newman, as it returns home for a Monday match versus Montevallo. First touch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. from McCown Field. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network is available with a subscription to FloSports.