SALEM, Va. — The Averett University men's soccer team dropped its second consecutive decision on the year by a final of 2-0 to Roanoke College at the All Sports Cafe Roanoke College Invitational Saturday evening.
 
Averett (0-2) would have chances throughout the first half as freshman Ty Michelson missed just wide midway through the opening frame. While freshman Johnny Kummander missed a breakaway scoring opportunity minute's later, forcing Maroons goalkeeper Alex Sullivan to make a game changing save.
 
Following a defensive stalemate throughout the first half of play, the Cougars opened the second frame with scoring chances early and often as freshman Lluc Pou and sophomore Nademe Tokhli nearly broke the 0-0 tie, as Tokhli's strike off a Cougar breakaway nearly slipped past the out stretched arms of Roanoke's netminder Zach Behe.
 
However, Roanoke (2-0) would take advantage of an Averett defensive miscue in the 65th minute as the Maroons capitalized on a defensive foul in the box, allowing Ryan Hepburn to beat sophomore Colton Dutchess on a penalty kick to give Roanoke a 1-0 lead.
 
The Maroons added another score just over six minutes later when Andrew Wisdo chipped a shot over the charging Dutchess, increasing Roanoke's lead to 2-0.
 
The Cougars would not go quietly late in the second half, as Tokhli nearly snuck a shot past Behe, while senior Huso Dukic, sophomore Asher Francis and freshman Baste Endresen and Leevi Partanen all fired shots late in the regulation.
 
Tokhli paced the Cougars on the evening with three shot attempts, two of which found their mark, while Endresen and Kimmander rounded out the clubs shots on goal.
 
Averett would edge out Roanoke 10-9 on shot attempts, while Dutchess completed the contest with three saves in 90 minutes.
 
The Cougars are scheduled to return back to action for the first of four straight home contests at Daly Field, beginning with Bridgewater College at 6 p.m on Sept. 4.