Averett men’s soccer team notches first conference win at home since 2002

DANVILLE — Averett’s three first-half goals helped the Cougars cruise to a 3-1 victory over Greensboro College in soggy conditions on Wednesday afternoon. In the process, Averett notched its first conference win at home since 2002.

Since 1989, Greensboro had beaten Averett 20 consecutive times. The Cougars (7-4-1, 2-1 USA South) did their best to end that drought quickly. Freshman Levi Earl scored less than 14 minutes in off a cross pass from Tuukka Myyra.

With the Averett defense playing well, the offense kept the momentum. Sophomore Samuli Markkanen scored off John Thrower’s corner kick, which was deflected by teammate Anton Matinlauri.

Averett extended the lead to 3-0 when Kyle Barrow’s long pass to the center was headed home by Niclas Karlén in the 38th minute.

Greensboro (3-7-2, 1-1 USA South) only had four shots in the first half — none on goal. The Pride finally got on the board late on a Christian Johannesson shot from Andrew Clark.

The win was Averett’s first conference victory at home since Oct. 22, 2002, when the Cougars topped Ferrum College 1-0. The Cougars, who have two conference wins for the first time since 2002, ended a 26-game conference losing streak earlier this season with a win over Shenandoah on Oct. 3. Wednesday’s win over the Pride puts Averett in position to qualify for the USA South Conference Tournament for the first time since 2000.

The Cougars return to action on Saturday at N.C. Wesleyan College at 1 p.m.