Columbia International University Athletics

The Columbia International University men's soccer team was back in action tonight after having the weekend off due to fall break. The Rams welcomed NCAA Division II Belmont Abbey Crusaders to Sessions Field. The game was very tight throughout, but a late goal gave the Rams a huge upset victory over the Crusaders. After winning two in a row the Rams move to 4-8-2, while the Crusaders fall to 8-3-1.

The opening twelve minutes belonged to the Crusaders as they had three shots and two corners. Nhiet Rocham would get the Rams first shot, but his shot was blocked. Early on in the game Hugo Lemus was tested in goal, but at 17:18 the Crusaders were awarded a penalty kick. Just like the last game against Bob Jones, Lemus was able to read the body language of the shooter and came up with a huge save, "He looked to his right three times and normally when they do that they are trying to make the keeper think that they are going that way so I assumed he was going to his left and thankful I was able to get my hands on it and make a save," said Hugo Lemus.

The Rams would get off on more shot as Alvaro Urena's shot was saved and Lemus would continue to come up big for the Rams as the Crusaders had 12 shots in the first half. The game would remain scoreless at the half.

The second saw the Rams start to gain some momentum and put more pressure on the Crusaders defense even though it might not have resulted in shots. The Crusaders would continue to get shots off, some went wide, some went high, some were blocked, and all the others were saved by Lemus. After a foul on the Crusaders the Rams were awarded a free kick. The free kick made it into the box, but a Crusader was able to head the ball out of the box. Right outside the box Jeremiah Ruth was able to strike a rocket through the box past the Cruaders keeper. Ruth was then piled on top of by his teammates and all the momentum shifted in favor of the Rams. "I was happy to get a foot on the ball. The shot was heading for the bottom corner, but after a direction the shot rose and the keeper didn't have time to adjust. It feels great to score the lone goal, but it was a team effort," said Jeremiah Ruth.

After the goal the Crusaders would get off three more shots, but two were blocked and the other was saved by Lemus. As the clock hit zeroes the Rams ran over to crowd and enjoyed the sweet victory with them.

Belmont Abbey had 24 shots with 11 on goal, while the Rams had six with three on goal...The Crusaders also had ten corners...Ruth's goal was his second of the season...Lemus had a big night between the pipes as he had 11 saves...Nheit Rocham and Alvaro Urena each had two shots...This was the first ever meeting between the two schools.

"This was a great team win," said Head Coach Bill Brindley. "Belmont Abbey is a great team and to get a victory against them is huge, they have a great record and have been playing solid throughout the year. We've now won two in a row and are starting to click so we are looking to carry that over into the game Saturday."

Columbia International will be back in action on Saturday as they host fellow NCCAA South Region foe John Wesley University at 7 p.m. Saturday will also be senior night as the Rams honor Braden Elmer, Hunter Haynes, Jed Blanchat, Nolan Dorton, Zach Wolfenden, Paul Grandacarpio, Maksym Yakovenko and Alvaro Urena.