COLUMBIA, S.C. - CIU men's soccer took the pitch at Sessions Field Saturday afternoon for their last regular season home game, with a senior celebration afterward. They hosted No. 13 Union College (Ky.), who is sitting at No. 1 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) standings. After a goal in each half, the Bulldogs took home a 2-0 victory. CIU is now 8-4-3 overall and 6-4-2 in AAC play. 

Match Summary: CIU remained in control of the ball for most of the first frame. Soyha Yamamoto took the game's first shot but narrowly sailed over the crossbar (4:13). Marco Muhlebach and Yamamoto continued to work the Bulldogs' keeper as he hauled each of their attempts in. 

Matias Breit saved Union's first attempt as both Zion Atkinson and Bryan Molina attempted to find the back of the net for CIU. Breit collected another save (32:34), but the Bulldogs made their way on the board 10 minutes later to take a 1-0 lead going into the half. 

The second frame was more aggressive on both sides, with yellow cards and fouls handed out frequently. Both teams attempted shots a few minutes in, but both went wide. Union added another goal to take a 2-0 lead (49:30).

CIU came close to finding the back of the net after two corner kicks from Romulo Barreto, but Gabriel Rokov's headers went high both times. 

Breit picked up three more saves before Barreto took a penalty kick for the Rams that Union's keeper blocked it away to set up Benedict Kartheuser for a shot that was also saved. Atkinson made a last-minute attempt with a bicycle kick, but the shot went wide to give Union the 2-0 win. 

The Rams outshot Union 16-11, but with only seven shots on goal. Yamamoto led the way with four, while Atkinson recorded three. Breit recorded a career-high of seven saves. 

Up Next: CIU is on the road for their last regular season conference game, heading to Knoxville, Tenn., to take on Johnson University on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. EST.