Clarks Summit, PA – Goals from Cody Mosely and Caleb Moore helped the men's soccer team avenge an earlier loss to Baptist Bible College, helping Cairn reach the finals of the NCCAA East Region.
Box Score
The Highlanders were not only looking to avenge a 1-0 loss to the Defenders a week ago but were also looking to put a halt to their six-game losing streak. The game started in agonizing fashion, though, for the boys in crimson. In the opening ten minutes, both Connor Eby and Ahron Park missed clear chances to put the Highlanders up and hoped the misses would not come back to haunt them.
However, following a throw-in in the 24th minute, sophomore Ben Cardillo collected his 3rd assist of the season when he tapped the ball to Caleb Moore in the middle of the box. Moore side-footed his shot to the upper right corner of the net to give Cairn a 1-0 lead.
That lead would hold until halftime as the Highlanders held an 8-3 advantage in shots over the first 45 minutes.
With everything still to play for, the Defenders and Highlanders battled back-and-forth looking for either that decisive equalizer or cushion goal, and it would be Cairn who would strike again. Following a BBC foul, midfielder Craig Kikendall found the head of Cody Mosely at the top of the box to put the Highlanders up 2-0. Mosely's header fooled BBC goalkeeper Dillon Bowman, as it popped over him and underneath the crossbar in an awkward sequence.
Kikendall has a team-leading five assists, while Mosely has seven goals on the season.
Cairn held on to earn a berth in the East Region Final and snapped its six-game skid.
The Highlanders outshot the Defenders 13-7, while Dave Shaffer was only called upon once to make a save. He registered his 5th shutout of the season.
Cairn is now 8-9 on the season and will look to book their place at the NCCAA National Tournament on Saturday when they play Lancaster Bible College for the championship. Cairn defeated LBC 2-0 earlier in the season.
