YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | Young Harris College battled through over three hours of lightning delays to record a 3-0 non-conference men's soccer victory over Belmont Abbey College Thursday (Aug. 30) evening at the YHC Soccer and Lacrosse Field.

The Mountain Lions, who are ranked 11th nationally, improved to 1-0-0, while the Crusaders fell to 0-1-0. Young Harris returns to action Saturday (Sept. 1) when they travel to Central, South Carolina, for a 7:30 p.m. contest against Southern Wesleyan University. 

The game was delayed just over two hours at the start due to lightning in the area and again for 64 minutes with 15 minutes remaining in the first half. The Mountain Lions struck for two goals in a 70-second span after the second delay to open up a 2-0 lead. Alex Gschwend served the ball to Mikie Rowe in the box and Rowe beat the Belmont Abbey goalkeeper for the first goal at the 40:07 mark. Rowe figured in the next goal as he found Mehdy Hidane in the box and Hidane deposited the ball in the back of the next from 16 yards out.

Rowe had a hand in the final Young Harris goal as he found Sondre Olsen on the left wing. Olsen served the ball into the box to Carlos Gomez, who high kicked it in from six yards out to give the Mountain Lions a 3-0 lead in the 75th minute.

Young Harris head a 21-2 margin in shots and and 5-3 advantage in corner kicks. Alex Iglesias registered his first clean sheet of 2018 as he stopped one shot for the Mountain Lions.