The Covenant men's soccer team got back to its winning ways on Saturday afternoon as the Scots got goals from Alex Lupinek and Matt Hudnut to defeat Hanover 2-1 in the concluding match of the Transylvania Showcase.
Covenant moves to 2-1-1 on the year, while Hanover drops to 1-2.
For a third straight match this week, the Scots outshot their opponent but for the first time this week the effort turned into a victory. Covenant took 15 shots, compared to just seven for Hanover.
The Scots got on the board in the 58th minute when Lupinek got his shot past Hanover keeper Trevor Korfhagen, assisted by Noah Wiersema, to make it 1-0. It was the first collegiate score for the sophomore Lupinek, a transfer from Lipscomb.
Hudnut would then salt the match away with a goal in the 87th minute of play off an assist from Danny Knight to make the score 2-0. It was Hudnut's 15th career goal, and eighth career game-winning score, and the first of this season.
The goal from Hudnut was made even bigger as moments later Hanover cut the Scots' lead in half with a score from John Wittich, assist from Austin Bush. Covenant would hold off any Hanover comeback attempt over the final few minutes to secure the win.
Covenant keeper Shuler Polk was again solid at the net as he made four saves to pick up his second win of the year. Korfhagen made six saves for Hanover.
Covenant not only led in shots and shots on goal, but also had an 11-0 advantage in corner kicks. Gordon Carpenter led the Scots with four shots taken.
The Scots will take one Berry on Tuesday at 5 p.m. in Rome, Ga.
The Covenant women, facing a stiff challenge in nationally ranked Centre, hung with the Colonels but ultimately fell 2-1 in the concluding match of the Transylvania Showcase on Saturday night.
The loss ends a tough week for the Lady Scots as they battled injuries and lost all three matches, two of which by one goal each. Covenant falls to 1-4 on the season. Centre improves to 3-1.
Centre notched the match's first goal in the 18th minute of play with Liz Miller's goal which was assisted by Tori Dillard. But Covenant would answer before halftime as Ruth Terry scored her first goal of the season in the 28th minute, an unassisted score, to knot the game at 1-1.
But the 16th-ranked Colonels got the game-winner in the 55th minute as Morgan Collins scored to make it 2-1.
Covenant was outshot 17-5 and 8-3 in shots on goal. Covenant keeper Lucy Johnson was kept busy as she made six saves. Centre's Olivia Alford compiled two saves.
Terry and Anne Charlotte Strawbridge each took two shots for the Lady Scots.
Covenant will have a week off before taking on Tennessee Temple on Saturday, Sept. 14 in Chattanooga, Tenn.