PIKEVILLE, Ky. – The University of Pikeville Men's Soccer team earned its first victory of the season Saturday afternoon, defeating the visitors from Berea College by a score of 3-2. The victory brings the Bears' season record up to 1-3.
 
The Bears had to come from behind to earn the win, as Berea scored the contest's first goal in the 10^th minute of play on a goal by freshman Storie Ratcliff.
 
Things grew bleaker in the 13^th minute, when UPike freshman Juan Egas was injured whilst attempting a header. Egas, who absorbed a punch to the jaw when Berea's goalkeeper attempted to leap above him to secure the incoming ball, was diagnosed with a broken jaw.
 
The loss of Egas proved to be a rallying point for UPike, which was able to control possession of the ball for most of the first half but failed to generate offense in Egas' absence. The Bears took only four shots on goal throughout the first half, but were able to hold Berea to just two by controlling the ball.
 
The Bears began to fight in the second half, when sophomore Ozzie Ruiz scored the equalizer in the 58^th minute. UPike took sole possession of the lead in the 61^st minute when Egas' replacement freshman Nkengafac Lekealem made a deft pass to classmate Felipe Garcia, who scored to take a 2-1 lead for UPike.
 
Berea was not done however, as it proved with a goal off the foot of junior Gilbert Bangh in the 72^nd minute. But freshman Atiba Baptiste quickly responded on behalf of the Bears, taking freshman Pedro Moran's free kick and banging in the decisive goal in the 73^rd minute.
 
The Bears will be back on the pitch Tuesday night at 7 p.m. when they host Kentucky Christian University.
 
 
-UPIKE-