ATHENS, Tenn. – The University of Pikeville scored three times in the second half to rebound for a 3-2 win over Tennessee Wesleyan University on Wednesday afternoon.
 
The Bears trailed 2-0 midway through the first half before mounting a rally for a big AAC win.
 
UPike is now 6-5-2 on the season but, more importantly, 4-2-2 in league competition. The Bulldogs fell to 5-6 overall, 4-3 in the conference.
 
Tennessee Wesleyan posted two early goals, beginning in the ninth minute when sophomore Francesco Conti on a pass from sophomore Robin Vezinhet. The Bulldogs followed that up in the 24^th minute when junior David Tayau beat the keeper on an unassisted goal.
 
It stayed that way into the second half when the Bears cut the lead in half when junior Yali Cohen scored in the 49^th minute off a pass from sophomore Bruno Arenal. With momentum beginning to shift, a 58^th minute goal by sophomore Rafael Chevarria thanks to help from classmate Alex Pritchard tied the score at 2-2.
 
From there, a costly Bulldog penalty set the stage for what would prove to be the game-winning goal. A foul gave the Bears a penalty kick in the 72nd minute, and Arenal found the back of the net to put his team in front for the first time on the day.
 
Arenal's goal made him the first player in the AAC to reach double figures on the season. He extended his lead in scoring with the goal and assist.
 
Tennessee Wesleyan had two chances in the final six minutes of the contest in an attempt to tie. The first was turned away by freshman keeper Alejandro Iglesias; the second was wide.
 
Iglesias had three saves in the win.
 
UPike had nine shots, four of which were on net in the win. The only shot that was saved was off the foot of Cohen.
 
The Bears will be off for a week before returning to Bob Amos Park on October 15 when they host Milligan (Tenn.) University. Start time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.