PEMBROKE – Visiting Erskine scored two quick goals in the first 15 minutes of play to set the tone early, and then made a two-goal halftime lead stand up as the Flying Fleet handed the UNC Pembroke men's soccer team a 3-1 loss on Wednesday evening at Varsity Grounds.

The triumph marked the sixth-straight victory for Erskine (9-4-1), while the setback marked the fifth loss for the Braves (7-6-1) since September 28. The contest marked the first series meeting between the two clubs.

Reece Rooney scored his second goal of the season to pace the UNCP offense, while Jeff MacDonald registered his fourth assist of the season in the losing effort. Ross Henderson netted a pair of goals for the Flying Fleet, who also got assists from two other players as well.

Erskine netminder Roberto De La Vina tallied seven saves between the pipes for Erskine en route to his eighth victory of the season, while Ryan Hanson collected four saves in goal for the Black & Gold.

"We didn't show up to play tonight. That's it," said UNCP head coach Phil Hindson.

The Braves were awarded a pair of early corner kicks after putting Erskine on its heels early, but it was the Flying Fleet that scratched the scoreboard first when Henderson sent a 38-yard prayer into the top left corner to give the visitors the lead for good. Silvio Braun would add the game-winner less than three minutes later when his short-range shot caught the woodwork, but still managed to find its way across the endline.

The Braves cut their deficit in half on Rooney's 18-yard blast that caught the underside of the crossbar and bounced over the endline, but Erskine would pad its lead back out to two goals – and cap the night's scoring – when Henderson took a short pass from Jonathan Rutter on a set piece, dribbled around the wall and drilled a shot past Hanson.

UNCP will return to action again on Saturday when the club heads south to battle league rival and third-ranked Young Harris (12-1-0, 6-0-0 PBC) in the front half of a noon doubleheader at the newly constructed YHC Soccer and Lacrosse Field.

To watch the game click HERE.