BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Marcos Kitromilides scored twice in the second half and Presbyterian dealt Campbell its first loss in Big South Conference play 3-1 Friday night at the Eakes Athletic Complex.
The defending Big South tournament champion Blue Hose (1-8, 1-0) scored twice in the final half hour to secure their first win of the season. Campbell (5-4, 2-1) dropped its second-straight outing and lost for the first time this year on home soil.
"We're disappointed," said Campbell head coach
Dustin Fonder. "We wanted to get three points out of a match at home, but didn't have the performance to get those points."
Ricardo Hernandez put PC ahead in the 37th minute when he scored off his own rebound and the Blue Hose led 1-0 at the break.
Campbell equalized just 4:38 into the second period when
JJ Donnelly took a pass from
Bastien Oberli, turned at the top of the box and hit a blast that PC keeper Jan Hoffelner mishandled and let slip into the goal.
The Camels appeared ready to secure the lead in the 56th minute after Luca Ziegler pushed
Ian Rees to the ground in the PC area. However, Oberli's penalty kick rattled off the crossbar and was cleared to keep the game level.
Just over four minutes later, Sergio Pinto hit a low shot that Campbell keeper
Samuel Lechuga was able to dive and deflect, but not hold, and Kitromilides was the first to the rebound to score his first goal of the season.
With Campbell playing three at the back, PC was able to secure an insurance goal in the 86th minute after Ziegler sent a low cross into the area that Kitromilides volleyed home.
Both teams finished with 11 shots on the night, while Presbyterian claimed an 8-5 edge in attempts on target.
Campbell steps outside conference play for its next two matches at Omaha (Wednesday) and Duke (Oct. 9).
