PIKEVILLE, Ky. – The University of Pikeville men's soccer team scored a goal late in the first half to claim a 1-0 win over Columbia (S.C.) College on Wednesday afternoon.
 
The win is the first for the Bears in the Appalachian Athletics Conference and improved the record to 4-4-1 overall, 1-2-1 in the league on the season. The Kualas fell 4-6 overall, 1-5 in the AAC.
 
The Bears posted what would prove to be the game's only goal in the 43^rd minute when graduate student Coby Fields found freshman Tomas Cristancho, who faced an open net for the easy score.
 
Christancho scored on the first shot on goal of his career, while Fields pick up his first assist this season.
 
Columbia recorded six shots on goal in the match, all of which were saved by junior goalkeeper Adam DiMillo.
 
Senior midfielder Dan Stryffeler was the only Kuala with two attempts.
 
UPike had five shots on goal, with senior Jon Barragan being credited with two. Freshman keeper Brayden Garcia turned away four for Columbia.
 
The Bears will be back in action on Saturday afternoon, playing at Bluefield (Va.) College. That match is slated for a 2 p.m. start.