HICKORY, N.C. (WHKY) – Lenoir-Rhyne men’s soccer earned its first result of the season Wednesday evening, battling Lee University to a 1-1 draw in the Bears’ home opener at the Soccer Field at Moretz Sports Athletic Campus.

After opening the season with a pair of one-goal losses on the road against nationally ranked opponents, the Bears rallied from an early deficit to move to 0-2-1 on the season.

Lee struck first in the 22nd minute. Andreas Aspris put a shot on goal that was stopped by Lenoir-Rhyne goalkeeper Mason Cranford, but Thomas Stift followed the play and scored to give the Flames a 1-0 advantage.

Lenoir-Rhyne answered with pressure of its own, led by substitute Raul Canas. The midfielder entered in the 26th minute and almost immediately came within inches of tying the match, ringing a shot off the crossbar less than a minute after checking in.

Canas eventually found the equalizer in the 33rd minute. Oskar Dahlberg set up Canas, who finished low to the right for his first goal of the season and pulled the Bears even at 1-1.

Neither side could break the deadlock after halftime despite opportunities at both ends.

Lenoir-Rhyne outshot Lee 13-11 for the match, although the Flames held a 5-3 advantage in shots on goal. The Bears put two shots on frame in the second half, including efforts from Maxime Wester and Xairo Villalon that were stopped by Lee goalkeeper Charles Carriglitto.

Canas was particularly active after entering the match, finishing with a team-high four shots and Lenoir-Rhyne’s lone goal. Wester and Villalon added three shots apiece.

Cranford made four saves in goal for the Bears, including three stops of Lee’s Andreas Aspris and Marcos Garcia during the match.

The draw came after Lenoir-Rhyne opened its season with narrow losses to No. 2 Rollins, 6-5, and No. 22 Florida Tech, 2-1. The Bears have therefore played three consecutive matches decided by one goal or fewer against their challenging early-season schedule.

Lenoir-Rhyne remains home Saturday when the Bears host Carson-Newman at 7:30 p.m. The match will be the South Atlantic Conference opener for both teams.