LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. – Senior midfielder Andrew Valbuena of the LaGrange College men's soccer team recorded his first point of the season with an assist during a 3-1 setback against Covenant Saturday in Lookout Mountain, Georgia.

Valbuena now has three career assists, to go along with one goal. Sophomore forward Enrique Hernandez tallied his second goal of the season for the Panthers (1-4, 1-4 USA South). The LaBelle, Florida, native also has two assists for a total of six points, the second most on the team.

Sophomore goalkeeper Lucas Wright made a game and season-high nine saves. The save total was tied for the second most in his career. The Bremen, Georgia, native turned aside six shots in the opening 45 minutes.

The Scots (5-2, 5-1 USA South) received a goal apiece by Jake Major, Austin Berry and Cale McLarnon. Thomas Drake and Knox Gibson contributed with one assist each, while goalkeeper Isaac Schoutko made five saves and earned the win.

With Covenant leading, 3-0, the Panthers found their way onto the scoreboard with 20 minutes remaining in the second half. Valbuena had possession just inside midfield and placed a long ball onto the feet of Hernandez on the right edge of the 18-yard box. Hernandez dribbled in and a slid a shot on the ground pass the outstretched hand of a diving Schoutko.  

Covenant led the shots category, 17-15, and each team attempted five corner kicks. Hernandez put three of his game-leading five shots on goal. Senior forward Cam Perkins finished with three shots and two on net, while sophomore midfielder Blake Webb and junior defender Evan Sampers attempted two shots apiece.

LaGrange and Covenant met in the first round of the 2019 USA South Tournament, as the fourth-seeded Panthers struck first during a 2-1 setback to the top-seeded Scots.

The Panthers close out the 2021 regular season with a 5 p.m. game against Piedmont Friday on Panther Field.

Assistant Sports Information Director Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lagrange.edu.

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