Fighting Tigers register 2-1 victory past Patrick Henry in opener

CUTHBERT, Ga. -- Freshman Simon Cobian (Flowery Branch, Ga.) opened his collegiate career with a three-point evening to spark the Andrew College men' soccer team to a 2-1 triumph past Patrick Henry CC (Va.), in the opening match of the 2015 Kickoff Classic on Friday, Aug. 21 at Hord Athletic Complex.

Patrick Henry opened the 2015 season as one of 17 teams to receive votes just outside the Top-20 in the NJCAA Division I preseason poll. Patrick Henry broke into the pool in the eighth version last year on Oct. 21 when they received votes for the first time in modern history. A year ago the Patriots went 15-5-0 overall and finished third with a 10-4-0 mark in Region 10 play while scoring the fourth most goals in the nation (80).

The Fighting Tigers defended with determination and grit against the high powered Patriot attack that recorded the fourth most goals in the nation (80) a season ago. Sophomore George Cunha (Pompano Beach, Fla.) continued his stellar play in goal for Andrew as he recorded six saves in the victory.

Patrick Henry dominated the opportunities early as they posted a 14-10 advantage in shots.

Cobian found the back of the net after Lewis Jones (Liverpool, England) completely baffled the keeper out of his net. After Jones laid the ball off, Marcos Soma (Coconut Creek, Fla.) found a streaking James Quinn (Slough, England) down the wing. Quinn's pointed cross found Jones who flicked it on to Cobian. Cobian, one of the four members of the 2015 AAA Georgia High School State Championship squad from West Hall High School calmly placed the ball past the keeper to give Andrew a 1-0 lead in the 58th minute.

Elias Tamburini spoiled the shutout for Andrew connecting on a goal in the 65th minute to level the match.

Cobian turned from scorer to giver when he won possession in midfield and slipped in a streaking Connor Heydon (New South Wales, Australia) for a blistering shot that clipped off both posts before residing in the back of the net for a 2-1 victory.

The Fighting Tigers will continue their season opening home-stand at Hord with an 11 a.m. EST kickoff against Broward College (Fla.) on Sunday.