ROCK HILL, S.C. –
Jake Morris scored the game's only goal in the 61st minute and Campbell held Winthrop to just one shot on target in a 1-0 victory Saturday night at Eagle Field.
The Camels (10-3-1, 5-0-0) moved four points in front of High Point at the top of the Big South Conference table after holding Winthrop (6-5, 3-2) – the nation's ninth-highest scoring team (2.6 goals per game) – to just six shots.
Edu Rodriguez' only save of the game came from point-blank range in the 50th minute against Ethan Stevenson.
The shutout was the second of the season for Rodriguez, who has surrendered only three goals in five Big South games. He lowered his league-leading goals-against average to 1.13.
Morris scored for the fourth-straight match and has 11 points (4 goals, 3 assists) on the season – all against conference foes.
"Going on the road is never easy in the league, and Winthrop was very determined and had a good game plan tonight," said Campbell head coach
Dustin Fonder. "But our guys dug in deep defensively, defended to attack, and allowed us to let one goal stand up."
In a scoreless first half, Campbell nearly went in front in the 37th minute, but Winthrop keeper Sam Jones, who made a career-high seven saves, dove to his right to stop
Tyler Young's effort from the top of the box. Stevenson also had two chances early in the opening period, but both of his headers missed the target.
Campbell finished with a 14-6 edge in shots, 8-1 on goal, and took nine corner kicks to just three for the Eagles, who had won four of their last five prior to Saturday.
The Camels entered the contest first nationally in total goals and sixth in goals per game (2.77); but turned out to only need one Saturday in a match up of the top two teams in the Big South standings.
NOTES: Campbell has won three-straight and 5 of the last 6 meetings between the schools... CU is now 23-1-3 in its last 27 games (regular season and tournament) vs. Big South foes... In conference games this season, the Camels have outscored their opponents 16-3... In league games, Morris tops all Big South players in points (11) and game-winning goals (3)… Campbell returns to action Wednesday at UNC Asheville (6:00 p.m.).
