DUE WEST, S.C. – Diego Velazquez and Felipe de Sousa scored two minutes apart in the second half to power the Railsplitters (1-0) to a 3-2 come-from-behind season-opening victory over host Erskine (0-1) at a rain-soaked Huggins Field on Thursday night. Danilo da Silva also added a first-half goal.
 
Lincoln Memorial controlled possession for most of the match and outshot the Flying Fleet 15-6. The Railsplitters also held an 11-2 shots-on-goal advantage, though both of Erskine's found the back of the net.
 
"We created a lot of chances," head coach Helio D'Anna said. "It could have been a comfortable win if we finished our chances."
 
The Railsplitters struck first on da Silva's 13th-minute score.
 
Zac Kacper netted the equalizer for Erskine on a strike from 25 yards out just seven minutes later. Ryan De Leon beat LMU goalkeeper Caio Bergamo in the 44th minute for his first career goal on a lead pass by Thadeous Estes to give the Flying Fleet a 2-1 halftime advantage.
 
"They were fortunate to score two goals off the bat," D'Anna said. "Credit to them for finishing their chances."
 
Bergamo made his LMU debut in goal. He did not record a save but picked up the win.
 
"It was a tough day for the young kid to make debut considering the field conditions and playing under the lights," D'Anna said. "He could have made save on the second goal, but overall I am very pleased."
 
Velazquez's header in the 64th minute evened the score back up at two apiece. It was the senior's first career goal and his first point since 2014. The Railsplitters took the lead for good just three minutes later after de Sousa converted on a rebound following a Victor Peres shot.
 
Velazquez picked up his second yellow card in the 71st minute, which forced Lincoln Memorial to play a man down. The Flying Fleet could not capitalize and only mustered one shot that went wide. Matt Perry picked up a red card in the 85th minute, which left both teams with ten players.
 
Erskine made one final push in the 89th minute, but Kacper's shot went wide.
 
Quick Hits
 
- Freshman Mikael Varin also made his debut in net for the Flying Fleet and made eight saves.
 
- The Railsplitters improve to 11-4 in season openers under D'Anna.
 
- Peres and da Silva led the Railsplitters with four shots apiece. All four of da Silva's went on-goal to lead the team.
 
- Kacper attempted four of Erskine's six shot attempts.
 
- Thursday marked the first-ever meeting between Lincoln Memorial and Erskine.
 
Up Next
 
The Railsplitters play three of their next four at home beginning with the team's home opener on Sunday, September 3 when they host King at the LMU Soccer Complex at 3:30 p.m.