BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. — The Montreat College men's soccer team opened its home slate Tuesday evening with a nonconference matchup against Johnson & Wales University Charlotte. After falling behind 2-0, the Cavaliers rallied with two late second-half goals to earn a 2-2 draw with the Wildcats. The result moved Montreat to 1-0-1 on the season, while JWU Charlotte began its campaign at 0-0-1.
Montreat applied pressure early, as Ricardas Milasius sent two shots high during the opening nine minutes, and the Cavs added three more attempts on goal. Despite the early pressure, the visitors broke through first with a score in the 33rd minute. Montreat had a pair of opportunities to level the match before halftime, including two corner kicks from Jose Solano, but could not find the back of the net and entered the break trailing 1-0.
JWU Charlotte extended its advantage with a goal in the 57th minute, putting the Cavaliers in a two-score hole early in the second half. The home squad responded with a late push, cutting the deficit to one at the 74:35 mark when Jared McCall found the back of the net off an assist from Emilio Ruiz. The effort marked McCall's second tally of the new year.
Montreat continued to apply pressure after McCall's goal, forcing back-to-back saves from the Wildcats in the 78th minute. Just over three minutes later, the Cavs found the equalizer as Sako Mo netted a breakaway score with just under nine minutes remaining. JWU Charlotte withstood the Cavaliers' late push, including a last-second save on a header from Emmanuel Ntimeh, to preserve the 2-2 draw.
McCall and Mo led the Cavs offensively, with each recording one goal and two shots on frame. Ruiz added two shots on target and an assist while leading the hosts with four total shots. Ntimeh, Gabriel Caskett and Alejandro Hernandez each recorded one shot goal. Defensively, Adrian Torres made a pair of saves in net.
Montreat finished with a 17-7 advantage in total shots, including a 9-4 edge in shots on goal. The Cavaliers also earned six corner kicks and were whistled for 11 fouls. JWU Charlotte recorded one corner kick and was called for 14 fouls.
"We slipped into old habits after the first 15 minutes," said Head Coach Michael Bruce. "Thankfully, we were able to dig ourselves out of that hole in the second half. It was great to see that resilience and continue to battle on. We were always able to find a way."
Up next, Montreat heads 15 minutes west to Swannanoa, N.C., for an in-county rivalry matchup against Warren Wilson College on Saturday, Sept. 5. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.
