ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – Tyler Payne scored off a free kick in the 78th minute and gave North Carolina Wesleyan a 2-1 soccer win over visiting Guilford College Wednesday in the Battling Bishops’ season opener.
North Carolina Wesleyan (1-0) took a 1-0 lead 18 minutes into the match when Christian Boakye converted a cross from Andri Bjarnson for the Bishops ‘ first goal of the season. The score remained 1-0 in favor of the hosts at halftime and Wesleyan held a 10-5 edge in shots.
Guilford tied the match at 1-1 in the 59th minute on Matthew Poling’s second goal in as many games. Poling ran on to a through ball from senior Ronnie Castellanos and beat North Carolina Wesleyan keeper Nathan Mangione to the left.
The score remained knotted at 1-1 for the next 19 minutes before Payne netted the game winner off Bjoarnson’s second assist of the match.
The hosts held a 19-15 edge in shots. Mangione stopped four shots while Guilford goalie Michael MacVane had seven saves.
Guilford heads to Mt. Berry, Ga., for a weekend tournament hosted by Berry College.