Coming off a tough 1-0 loss on Friday afternoon at Methodist, the Covenant men's soccer team bounced back in a big way as they defeated North Carolina Wesleyan 4-1 on Saturday behind two goals and an assist from Ian Meredith.
Meredith recorded his first five-point match of his career and notched two goals for the first time since his freshman season in the victory. The senior scored once in each half and added an assist to lead the Scots to a crucial USA South win.
Covenant goes to 8-4-2 overall and 4-1-1 in league play after the victory.
The Scots are one of three teams in the conference with one loss in league play. N.C. Wesleyan drops to 9-5-1 on the year and 5-2 in the USA South.
Meredith got the scoring going in the 7th minute of play as he broke away from the defense and found the back of the net for his fifth goal of the season. Meredith played a part in Covenant's second score in the 14th minute as his corner kick found Hunter Harrison who headed the ball past Bishops keeper Jesper Olsson. The goal was Harrison's first of the year.
Covenant took a 3-0 lead into halftime after Noah Wiersema guided into the net a free kick from about 20 yards out in the 25th minute. The score was Wiersema's first of the season.
N.C. Wesleyan cut the Scots' lead to 3-1 in the 63rd minute when Eogr Kabalin got a shot past Covenant keeper Daniel Kubin, assisted by Isai Gonzalez. But Meredith's second goal of the match in the 74th minute put the match away for the Scots. Both Snoopy Davidson and Hunter Brock were credited with assists on the goal which was Meredith's sixth of the year.
Kubin made five saves for the Scots to earn the victory. Olsson faced 10 shots on goal and came away with six saves. N.C. Wesleyan outshot Covenant 17-16, but the Scots held a 10-6 edge in shots on target.
Covenant will be back at Scotland Yard on Wednesday with a match against USA South member Huntingdon. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., or 30 minutes after the women's match concludes.