DANVILLE, Va.— The Averett University men's soccer team fell to Methodist University on Saturday night, 3-2. Freshman Asher Francis recorded a goal and an assist in the effort.
 
The Monarchs (10-4-1, 6-2 USA South) controlled the first twenty minutes of the match, forcing freshman goalkeeper Marius Olavesen to make a couple of saves early on. From this point on, the play was a stalemate as both teams tightened up defensively limiting the scoring opportunities for the opposition. However, Averett (4-8-2, 3-5-1 USA South) was able to break through in the 42nd minute of play when the Cougars received a free kick just inside the Methodist half of the field. Junior Sean Dunbar stepped up and served a beautiful ball into the box that found the head of Francis. The George Town, Cayman Islands native headed his shot over the charging Jonathan Moore to give Averett the 1-0 lead. The Cougars held this advantage into the halftime break.
 
The Monarchs found the equalizer in the first five minutes of the second half. Zvi Ferrari ran onto a through ball from Gerry Madden and slotted his shot inside the far post to bring the match level at one. Each side created a chance before Methodist doubled their lead in the 61st minute of play. The Monarchs earned a corner and Isaac Sanchez put his service on the back post where Kristoffer Skarstein headed his shot off the ground and into the back of the net for the 2-1 Methodist lead.
 
Over the next 15 minutes the Cougars were able to limit the Monarch scoring opportunities and spend some time in the Methodist end of the field. This pressure led to another free kick for Averett inside the Methodist half in the 74th minute. Dunbar again found the head of Francis who was able to flick the ball onto an unmarked senior Mitchell Smith. At this point, the Disputana, Virginia product was able to head his shot into an empty net to tie the score at two.
 
This score line would not last long as the Monarchs regained their edge on the scoreboard four minutes later. This time Zvi Ferrari passed a through ball on the far side of the field to Conor Morris. Once Morris reached the ball he put his shot past a charging Olavesen to give his team the 3-2 lead.
 
In the remaining 12 minutes of regulation, the Cougars sent numbers forward in hopes of finding the equalizer, but could not find the back of the net and were defeated by the Monarchs.  
 
Averett is back in action Wednesday, Oct. 18, when they play their final regular season home game against Pfeiffer University. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.