BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. — The Montreat College men's soccer team snapped a three-match losing streak on Wednesday evening as the Cavaliers played the Carolina University Bruins to a 3-3 draw in nonconference action at Pulliam Stadium. Erasing a two-goal deficit, the Cavs scored three straight times to help finish the match level on the scoreboard. With the tie, Montreat moved to 2-3-2 on the campaign, while CU shifted to 6-2-1.
Carolina controlled the flow of play through the midpoint of the initial half. The Bruins notched the contest's first shot less than two minutes in, and they struck the left post in the 18
th minute as they inched closer toward goal. Just over 23 minutes into the match, CU found its breakthrough. The visitors' advantage then doubled merely 1:46 later, putting the home side in a 2-0 hole.
Montreat didn't waste time in mustering a response.
Jared McCall's looping cross in the box set up an
Emmanuel Ntimeh header as the Cavaliers pulled themselves within 2-1 moments into the 30
th minute. McCall also served up a long throw to
Ricardas Milasius, who powered home his first official goal in a Montreat kit to even the match at 2-2 just 3:54 before halftime. The two teams entered the break with that same scoreline.
Already with his first taste of goal, Milasius sought out another. The London native brought his wish to life in the 59
th minute.
Alejandro Hernandez played a ball out wide to
Ethan Grasso on the right wing, and Grasso slid a pass into the center of the penalty area, where Milasius made his run. The freshman did the rest, guiding a shot into the left side of the net for a 3-2 lead, the Cavs' first of the night.
Suddenly finding themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard, the Bruins started throwing numbers forward.
Joey Randazzo saved attempts in the 68
th and 71
st minutes, but with 5:42 remaining in regulation, Carolina discovered the equalizer. Neither squad could find the frame during the final five-plus minutes, and the two teams left Howard Fisher Memorial Field with a 3-3 draw.
CU took more shots throughout the contest (19-12), but the Cavaliers placed more of those attempts on target (7-6). The Bruins registered four saves and nine corner kicks across 90 minutes, while Montreat tallied three saves and four corners. The Cavs were whistled for three additional fouls compared to their counterparts (16-13).
Milasius scored twice and led Montreat with five shots, putting three on frame. McCall recorded two assists. Ntimeh added a goal and put both of his attempts on target. Hernandez tallied an assist and placed his lone try on goal. Defensively, Randazzo made three saves in net.
"The team fought extremely hard to come back from falling behind 2-0 early on," said Head Coach
Michael Bruce. "We played with a lot of quality going forward after we rediscovered our confidence. We are hoping to keep that offensive momentum going into Saturday and add some defensive solidity to it."
The Montreat College men's soccer team now travels to Waleska, Ga., to face Reinhardt University on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m.
