MARYVILLE – Christian Alcaraz made a career-high eight saves Sunday afternoon, but it wasn't enough as Maryville fell to Belhaven 2-1 in the Collegiate Conference of the South opener here at the MC Soccer Complex.
The junior goalkeeper had a career night for the Scots, topping his previous high by two saves. Despite seeing a total of 20 shots, Alcaraz allowed just two first-half goals in the 29th and 42nd minutes.
The Georgia Military College transfer posted a shutout in the second half, making six of his eight saves, and seeing a total of 13 shots in the final 45 minutes of play.
Maryville is now 3-6-2 on the season and 0-1 in CCS play, while Belhaven improved to 4-2-3, with a 1-0 mark in the CCS.
After the Blazers got on the board first with a 29th-minute goal from Wesley Bloodworth, the Scots fired right back just four minutes later, tying the game with a 33rd-minute goal from
Hayden Tate. Andrew Moore recorded an assist on the score.
From just beyond midfield, Moore lofted a long pass to Tate who was streaking down the left side of the field. Tate controlled the pass and made a quick move to get past the lone defender, before firing in his second goal of the season from 16 yards out to make it 1-1.
Belhaven took back the lead 2-1 in the 42nd minute with a goal from Adrian Sanchez. Diego Sarzalejo and Austin Ney were credited with assists on the play.
The Blazers outshot the Scots 20-6, with a 10-3 margin in shots on goal.
Craig McIlwraith and
Brady Hammer led the way with two apiece, while Tate and
Marques Powers each attempted one shot.
Belhaven maintained ball possession for 55 percent of the game, compared to a 45 percent mark from Maryville. The Blazers had 10 corner kick opportunities to MC's two.
Maryville is back on the road Tuesday night for an in-state matchup against future SAA foe, Rhodes in Memphis, Tennessee. Kick off for that match is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
