In the first home match of the Carlos Rubio era, the Lenoir-Rhyne Men’s Soccer Team fell just short to No. 24 ranked Nova Southeastern by the score of 1-0.

The difference maker in the match was Nova Southeastern’s Kevin Rubaszeski. The junior forward buried the only goal of the match in the 19th minute, which gave the Sharks back-to-back non-conference victories.

Although the visitors burst onto the scene in the opening half, the Bears became the much stronger team out of the break. Not only did LR create stronger chances with seven shots and four corner kicks, but they also played a cleaner half of soccer with only two fouls.

Despite the late efforts, the Bears were handed their first defeat in 2023 and will go into conference play in search of their first win of the season.

Even though the Bears could not find a goal in tonight’s match, they out-shot the Sharks, 9-7. The Bears were shown five yellow cards in Wednesday’s match, that’s the most yellow cards the Bears received a single match since their five against Tusculum on Sept. 10, 2022.

Adrian Martina led the Bears with two shots on the night; his one shot on goal nailed off the crossbar in the first half. Returning to the Starting XI was Goalkeeper Juan Basabe, who made two saves in his first appearance of the season.

Nine LR players played all 90 minutes in the match. The only starters who were not on the pitch for the entire match were Macoy Strawn and Jaheim Smith.

Nova Southeastern leads the all-time series, 2-0-1. In both trips to Hickory, N.C, the Sharks have shutout the Bears, 4-0.

It is LR’s first non-conference home loss since its 3-0 defeat against Nova Southeastern on Sept. 12, 2019. It is the first time that the Bears have been held scoreless in a match since a 1-0 defeat to Mars Hill on Sept. 24, 2022. LR had not been held scoreless at home since a 2-0 loss to Limestone on Sept. 18, 2021.

The Lenoir-Rhyne Men’s Soccer Team will begin SAC play with the conference opener against Tusculum. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on the Soccer Field at the Moretz Sports Athletic Campus.