Box Score WINFIELD, Kan. – It was a game of pure emotions and flourishes of goals which ended in a 3-3 draw on Wednesday night in Winfield, Kan. The Southwestern College men's soccer team hosted a late-night tilt against the unbeaten visiting (RV) Braves of Ottawa University. The Builders were able to go ahead on two separate occasions over the course of 90 minutes, but were not able to bring the win home.
The game started in favor of the visiting Braves. In the 2nd minute, Slobodan Novicevic used the first chance of the game to score and put Ottawa up by a score of 1-0. Ottawa kept up the pressure offensively, but could not deliver on their chances.
On the other side, the Builders looked fresh, aggressive and unfazed by the early goal. Shots by Mamadou Diarra, Malvin Mupondi and Connor Inlow put goalkeeper Gage Powers under duress. Finally, in the 22nd minute Diarra scored the equalizing goal for the Builders to change the score to 1-1. Only minutes later, in the 25th minute, a great corner kick by Hector Hernandez came into the box and found the head of Diarra. He was able to score his second goal of the match to put the Builders in the lead, 2-1.
The game went on and both teams had their fair share of opportunities. However, it was the Braves who were able to come back. Bence Molnar scored late in the first half to make it 2-2 on an assist by Owain Parker.
Coming out after halftime, the Braves were the more dominant side for the first ten minutes. However, the Builders were able to change the direction of play when Jack Etheridge scored the third and final goal of the battle for the Builders. Diarra dribbled through a few Braves players and passed the ball into the box where Etheridge pushed the ball into the net to change the score to 3-2 in the favor of SC.
The exciting thriller came to an end when Molnar scored the final equalizer through a penalty-kick goal in the 81st minute of play. Both teams tried to end up on top but could not finish their chances to win the game.
The Builders outshot the Braves 22-21 (on goal 10-9), as Diarra was the leader in shots for the Builders with 10. Close behind him with 5 shots was Etheridge. Jose Macias earned another draw on his season record, which now sits at 0-1-3. He had six saves in the tilt against the Braves, helping to keep the sides even at the final whistle.
The Builders (3-6-5, 0-4-5 KCAC) are now getting ready to battle Kansas Wesleyan when they travel to Salina, Kan. this upcoming Saturday. They hope to earn their first KCAC win of the campaign at 1:30 p.m. on the road.
--buildersports.com--
