College of Charleston
1-0-1, 0-0-0
Florida Gulf Coast
0-2-0, 0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| FGCU | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Col. of Charleston | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Lenert's Brace Powers Charleston Past FGCU
8/23/2026 9:48:00 PM | Men's Soccer
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – Matt Lenert collected his second career brace as the College of Charleston men's soccer team (1-0-1) earned a thrilling 3-2 win over Florida Gulf Coast (0-2) at Patriots Point Sunday night.
Following Marten Brink's first save of the match, Matt Lenert won a contested ball in the attacking third and connected with Michiharu Takanashi, who beat the keeper to put CofC up 1-0 in the third minute.
After Takanashi's first goal as a Cougar, CofC seemed to have found its second goal of the match, but it was called back for an offsides penalty. From there, FGCU fired shots at CofC's net before leveling the match 1-all in the 30th minute.
Three minutes later, Charleston regained the lead off a free kick as Hogan Walker sent a cross into the box, where Matt Lenert headed the ball into the back of the net.
In the ensuing minute, the Eagles found an equalizer to make the match 2-2 with just over 10 minutes left in the opening stanza. Neither team took another shot in the rest of the half as the teams headed to the locker room all square.
Once again, CofC appeared to find a goal, but it was called back for offsides in the 66th minute.
After FGCU got a red card in the 73rd minute, Lenert had his free kick blocked by a wall of Eagle defenders and Stian Bendvold narrowly missed a header just over the crossbar.
Continuing to attack the Eagles goal, Kira Fukuda sent a cross into the box, where Henrik Boer headed the ball to Matt Lenert, who finished with a header of his own to put CofC in front, 3-2, in the 86th minute. The goal marked Lenert's second career brace.
Brink earned his fourth save of the contest in the 87th minute as he held strong in goal and helped Charleston earn its first win of the 2026 campaign.
OF NOTE
- Matt Lenert collected his second career brace as he scored his 16th and 17th career goals.
- Lenert scored his fourth career game-winner and now has three goals this season.
- Michiharu Takanashi scored his 21st career goal and first as a Cougar.
- Stian Bendvold, Henrik Boer, Kira Fukuda, Matt Lenert and Hogan Walker all tallied assists against the Eagles.
- Marten Brink tabbed four saves.
- Charleston is now 2-0 all-time against FGCU.
KEY STATS
- Charleston: 7 shots, 4 shots on goal, 4 saves, 4 corners
- FGCU: 10 shots, 6 shots on goal, 1 saves, 4 corners
GOALS
- Charleston: Michiharu Takanashi (3'), Matt Lenert (33', 86')
- FGCU: Brooks Beeman (30'), Emerson LaOrden (34')
ASSISTS
- Charleston: Stian Bendvold (1), Henrik Boer (1), Kira Fukuda (1), Matt Lenert (1), Hogan Walker (1)
UP NEXT — Charleston will open CAA play Friday, August 28 as the Cougars host Campbell for a 6 p.m. kickoff. Friday evening will feature a 'Friday Night Futbol' theme and Charleston branded soccer scarfs will be given away while supplies last.
For complete coverage of Charleston men's soccer, follow us on X (@CofCSoccer) and Instagram (@CofCSoccer).
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
Michiharu Takanashi (1)
Assisted By: Matt Lenert , Stian Bendvold
GOAL by CHS Takanashi, Michiharu Assist by Lenert, Matt and Bendvold, Stian.
02:47
Brooks Beeman (1)
Assisted By: Marco Santana
GOAL by FGC Beeman, Brooks Assist by Santana, Marco.
29:22
Matt Lenert (3)
Assisted By: Hogan Walker
GOAL by CHS Lenert, Matt Assist by Walker, Hogan.
32:35
Emerson LaOrden (1)
GOAL by FGC LaOrden, Emerson.
33:21
Matt Lenert (3)
Assisted By: Henrik Boer , Kira Fukuda
GOAL by CHS Lenert, Matt Assist by Boer, Henrik and Fukuda, Kira.
85:12
