CHARLESTON, S.C. – Rio Murray's first goal of the season lifted the College of Charleston men's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over UNC Asheville in the opening game of the UCNW Springhill Suites Classic on Friday evening.

Murray's goal came midway through the second half. A long ball forward from midfield in the 74^th minute by Joao Mauricio de Souza evaded the Bulldogs goalkeeper and Murray capitalized to open his account for the season.

The Bulldogs attempted to push for the equalizer as the game entered the final stages, but Treston Kederer was untroubled in the Charleston goal, only making one save through the full 90 minutes.

Head coach Ralph Lundy and his squad now look to a noon matchup on Sunday against Fairfield in their final game of the UNCW Classic.

Postgame Quotes - Head Coach Ralph Lundy
On the game…
"I'm very proud of many of the players on our team that didn't start today's game. I subbed them in after 20 minutes and that group helped settle the game for us and played very well. Marcelo Malpartida, Rio Murray, Cornell Holland, Owen Myers, Liam Hudock, Curren Page and Matt Nozedar all came in and did great for us. We settled down and in the second half we gained control of the game. It was a good total team win."

Notables
• Rio Murray scored his first goal of the season and his first for The College
• Joao Mauricio de Souza got his team-leading second assist of the season after missing the past two games
• Treston Kederer and the Charleston defense got their first clean sheet (shutout) of the season; Kederer only making one save in the win
• Treston Kederer, Cole Gulledge, Temi Adesodun and Peter Dearle all played the full 90 minutes in the Cougar defense
• The College move to 4-0-0 all time against UNC Asheville

Next Up
Charleston face Fairfield on Sunday to close out the UNCW Springhill Suites Classic. Kickoff is set for noon in Wilmington, N.C.