ATHENS, Tenn. — Josiah Clermont scored twice, and CIU twice erased a one-goal deficit, but Tennessee Wesleyan pulled away late to hand the Rams a 6-3 loss Saturday in Appalachian Athletic Conference play.
CIU moved to 6-6-4 overall and 4-3-3 in the AAC, while Tennessee Wesleyan improved to 8-4-3 and 6-2-2 in conference action.
After the Bulldogs opened the scoring on a penalty kick in the 12th minute, Clermont answered at the 17:17 mark to draw the Rams even. Tennessee Wesleyan converted a second penalty kick in the 30th minute to take a 2-1 lead into halftime.
The Rams pulled level again when Ezekiel Bargas scored in the 54th minute. The Bulldogs responded with goals in the 61st and 66th minutes to build a 4-2 advantage.
Clermont's second goal brought CIU within 4-3 in the 76th minute, keeping the Rams in contention heading into the closing stretch. Tennessee Wesleyan added two goals in the final five minutes to secure the result.
Clermont finished with three shots, while Bargas added two as the Rams scored on all three of their shots on goal. Rodrigo Fuentes recorded one save in 90 minutes.
CIU faces a quick turnaround, returning home Monday to host Johnson in AAC play.
