Box Score
MONTGOMERY, Ala.-The Belhaven men's soccer team earned a crucial Southern States Athletic Conference victory on the road Wednesday afternoon, defeating Auburn University-Montgomery 2-0. Both teams came into the match ranked in the top 10 in the latest NAIA MRPI poll that was released by the national office earlier in the day, setting the stage for a battle between two national powers. The Warkhawks were second while the Blazers checked in at number eight in the poll.

The first half proved to be a stalemate with the ball staying in the middle of the field as both defenses dug in to protect the nets. The teams combined for only six shots in the first half and each team had only one shot on goal. Junior Will Monsour made a bid to put the Blazers on top in the fourth minute, but his blast was turned away by AUM goalkeeper Vignir Johannesson. Auburn-Montgomery (12-3-2, 7-2-1 SSAC) got its only shot on goal from Vitor Silva in the 13th minute. Belhaven goalie Carl Blundell deflected the shot for his only save of the match.

Belhaven (14-2-1, 7-2-1 SSAC) turned up the heat offensively in the second half and the persistence finally paid off in the 68th minute. The Blazers took advantage of a foul in the box by Johannesson and a subsequent yellow card resulting in a penalty kick to score the first goal of the match. Eduardo Cruz was called upon to deliver the shot and he made it count, sliding the ball past Johannesson for a 1-0 lead. It was Cruz's fifth goal of the season and the third time he has scored on a penalty kick making him a perfect three for three on the season.

The Blazers held the 1-0 edge until the final minute of the match when Loic Miliani broke free for his third goal of the year. Miliani, who has been slowed by injury over the last few matches, got past Johannesson who was on a dead sprint from the opposite side of the field to try and prevent the goal. Paul Tanguy tallied his third assist of the 2012 campaign with a pass the put Miliani in position for the insurance goal.

“I was proud of how the guys responded today after the Mobile loss,” said Belhaven Head Coach Brian McMahon. “Auburn-Montgomery is a very good team and especially challenging at home. Coming away with an SSAC win on the road is always a difficult task.”

Milliani led the Belhaven offense with three shots followed by Cruz with two shots in the match. The Warhawks outshot the Blazers 15-10, but it was Belhaven that took advantage of the opportunities on Wednesday. Blundell played all 90 minutes in net and ran his record to 12-2-1 on the season with the win.

Silva had the most looks at the net for Auburn-Montgomery with five attempts on the night. Johannesson took the loss in goal allowing both scores while making two saves.

Belhaven will wrap up the regular season on Saturday night, hosting William Carey University in a Southern States Athletic Conference contest at H.T. Newell Field starting at 7:30 PM. The Blazers are locked in a three way tie for second place with Southern Wesleyan and Auburn-Montgomery. The three teams trail league leading Mobile by two points heading into the final weekend of the regular season.