Lions' offense explodes in win over Pacers

AIKEN, S.C. - The Mars Hill men's soccer team (2-1-1) downed USC Aiken (1-2-0) Saturday evening on the road by a score of 6-2.

The Lions struck early and often in the first half, going up 5-0 in the first 18 minutes of play.  

Kevonte Willoughby-Williams scored twice in the first 8:24 with assists from Sebastian Bertilsson and Dan Roth.  Bertilsson tallied his first of the night in the 12th minute.  A little less than three minutes later, Willoughby-Williams completd his hat-trick, putting the Lions up 4-0.

Bertilsson netted his second of the contest and fourth in the last three games with 17:27 played in the half.  Nolan McMillen collected his first career point with the assist.

The Pacers were able to get on the board in the 27th minute as Jaymee Kambel put one behind the Mars Hill goalkeeper.  Peter Plougmand responded in the 35th minute with his second of the season and in as many games.  Bertilsson picked up his second assist of the game.

Maik Spiekermann scored the lone goal of the second half, cut the Pacers' deficit down to four.

The Lions last posted six goals on September 26, 2018 in a 6-2 win over Catawba.

Mars Hill launched 15 shot attempts in the first half and outshot the Pacers 22-10.  Bertilsson and Plougmand each attempted five shots with Plougmand aiming four on-target to Bertilsson's three.  Kambel led the Pacers with two shots on goal.

Brennan Whalen made two saves to earn his second win of the season.  Joey Valenti allowed four goals in 14:03 for the loss.

Mars Hill continues their four-game roadtrip when they open South Atlantic Conference play on Wednesday, September.  The Lions take on Carson-Newman at 7:30 p.m.