October 23, 2005
Monarchs drop 3-0 decision at North Carolina Wesleyan

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – First place in the USA South Athletic Conference was on the line on Sunday as the Methodist Monarch men’s soccer team played at rival North Carolina Wesleyan. However, the Monarchs came up on the short end of it, dropping a 3-0 decision to North Carolina Wesleyan.

Methodist falls to 5-9-1 overall and 2-1 in the USA South.

North Carolina Wesleyan (11-4, 5-0) struck quickly as Salvador Benitez scored in the sixth minute off an assist by Lucas Fuentes. The Monarch defense, led by goalkeeper Jeremy Belnap, held the Bishops in check for the next 60 minutes before North Carolina Wesleyan struck again in a two-minute span.

The Bishops increased the lead to 2-0 in 66^th minute on a sliding goal by Jon Dyer. Two minutes later, Philipp Lyding scored unassisted.

Belnap recorded seven saves for Methodist, while his North Carolina Wesleyan counterpart Jeff Johnson tallied five saves. North Carolina Wesleyan out-shot Methodist 18-10.

Methodist returns home on Wednesday for a big USA South showdown against rival Greensboro at 4 p.m.