BANNER ELK, N.C. — Lees-McRae snapped a two-game losing streak Saturday with a 1-0 victory over visiting North Greenville, securing a crucial regional win behind an early strike from Karim Gegg. The home side's defensive discipline proved decisive in a tightly contested NCAA Division II matchup, with the Bobcats holding firm despite sustained pressure from the higher-seeded Crusaders.
Gegg broke through in the 13th minute, assisted by Hayato Morimoto, giving Lees-McRae an advantage it would not relinquish. The goal came during a period of early dominance by the hosts, who controlled possession and created multiple scoring opportunities before settling into a defensive posture for the remainder of the first half.
North Greenville, entering the contest with a 9-5-3 record, generated consistent offensive pressure throughout the second half but struggled to convert chances into goals. Riccardo Benini and Kaden Atwell each fired shots that missed the target, while Conor Campbell and David Boone also failed to find the net. The Crusaders' inability to capitalize on their opportunities proved costly in a match where both teams recorded four shots on goal.
Lees-McRae's defense, led by goalkeeper saves and disciplined positioning, weathered North Greenville's second-half assault. The Bobcats recorded four saves compared to North Greenville's three, a marginal advantage that reflected the competitive nature of the contest. Yellow cards to Noham Hamidi and Rodrigo Silva for North