NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 8, Spartanburg Methodist 3
Records: Life U, 1-0-0; Spartanburg Methodist 0-1-0
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The No. 11 Life University men's soccer team opened the 2026 campaign with an electric offensive showing on the road at Spartanburg Methodist. Highlighted by returning SSAC Player of the Year Andrei Apostu, who netted a hat trick in the first 11 minutes of the contest, the Running Eagles went on to find the back of the net eight times against the Pioneers.
Apostu wasted no time giving Life U the lead, scoring the first goal of the season in the seventh minute of the action. Then, just 67 seconds later, the sophomore struck again for the second time. Hunting the hat trick, Apostu added a third in the 11th minute of the contest, putting his squad in front 3-0.
Newcomer Tommaso Senesi was the next Running Eagles to add to the score sheet, scoring his first career goal at Life U in the 24th minute. Though the Pioneers struck late in the first half, the Running Eagles carried a dominant 5-1 lead into the break thanks to a 44th minute strike from Thomas Rodella. Life U amassed 12 first-half shots while starting keeper Pawel Wolny was not required to make a save in the frame.
In the second half, newcomer Benjamin Cane added the first two goals of his Life U career to the scoresheet in the 54th and 61st minute of the contest. The scoring was rounded out by a Leonardo DiPaola in 86th minute as the Running Eagles tallied eight in the contest.
Up next, Life U remains on the road, traveling to face the Bees of SCAD on Monday, Aug. 24.
"An opening-day win is always a good way to start the season," said Head Coach Alex Pama when asked about the season-opening win. "Conceding three goals is more than we would have liked, especially considering that we were responsible for creating some of those opportunities through lapses in concentration and a lack of being businesslike in key moments. The score could have been much higher if we had been more clinical in front of goal. We created and missed a number of good opportunities ourselves, so there are positives to take, but also clear areas we need to improve. SMC definitely improved from the last time we played them, and we wish them all the best for the remainder of the season and their conference play. For us, we need to analyze these lapses in concentration, learn from them, and improve quickly. On Monday, we face a very good SCAD side on the road, so our focus now turns to preparing for that challenge."
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--Life U dominated the shot category, 16-8.
--19 different Running Eagles saw time on the pitch.
TURNING POINT:
--Andrei Apostu opened the contest with a hat trick in the first 11 minutes of the contest.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--Andrei Apostu boasted a hat trick in the first 11 minutes.
--Benjamin Cane scored a pair of goals in the contest.
--Tommaso Senesi, Thomas Rodella and Leonardo DiPaolo all scored in the match.
--Alvaro Hidalgo and Tim Berger each recorded an assist.
