HARROGATE, Tenn. – In what was the first match for head coach Dale Parker beginning a new era for the Lincoln Memorial University men's soccer team, the Railsplitters fought neck-in-neck with DII's No. 2-ranked side in the nation and last season's NCAA National Championship runners-up, Charleston (W. Va.). Battling hot conditions and tense play, LMU narrowly dropped the season-opener to the Golden Eagles, 1-nil.
 
Four newcomers all made their debut in the Blue & Grey Thursdayday afternoon, as defenders Jayden Garner and Alex McNally, in addition to midfielders Christian Hatley and Harry Cooke all appeared in Parker's first starting-XI.
 
Veteran senior midfielder Hunter Stroble caused havoc all over the pitch for the Golden Eagles, as the Florida native twice came within inches of scoring the season-opener for the Railsplitters. Both of Stroble's efforts on goal came in the first half, with freshman winger Harry Cooke first slotting on excellent through-ball behind the Charleston back line, as Stroble had an excellent far-post attempt saved by goalkeeper Marc Torrado.
 
LMU's second attempt on target came late in the first half with the Golden Eagles conceding a foul just on the edge of the area. Standing over the spot-kick, Hunter Stroble hit a magnificent curler destined for the back of the net, timing a perfect shot with pace to get up-and-down past the Charleston wall, as miraculous finger-tip save again from Torrado kept the Railsplitter scoreless.  
 
Last season's national runners-up opened their scoring account for the 2022 season at the end of the first half, as a low-driven near-post effort from Paul Caliari found the back of the net for a Golden Eagle advantage.   
 
Eruption broke out on the stroke of the halftime whistle, as an already yellow-carded Golden Eagle delivered a dangerous challenge on LMU, resulting in the red-carding of Santiago Hoyos.
 
LMU's man-advantage in the second half slowed the Charleston attack, however the Golden Eagles managed well to keep the Railsplitters at bay to see out the one-goal victory.
 
Parker's side will be back in action this Sunday at the LMU Lacrosse Complex vs. Montevallo for the second matchup of the 2022 campaign.
 
How to Follow
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