9/30/19
(CLEVELAND) – For the fourth game in a row, the Truett McConnell University men’s soccer team faced overtime against Appalachian Athletic Conference opponents. After a couple of lightning delays, the Bears scored two goals in the final 30 minutes of regulation to eventually earn a 3-3 draw against Bryan College on Saturday evening at the TMU Soccer Complex.
The Lions scored two quick goals back-to-back in the first five minutes of the game (0-2) but freshman Zayne Moore found the back of the net for TMU in the 19th minute (1-2) when he finished fellow freshman Cody Carnes’ shot. In the second half, a strong cross into the box by Bryan led to an own goal (1-3) but that was the last time the Lions scored again.
In the 61st minute, Javier Rodriguez took a free kick out on the wing and sent the ball into the box where freshman Jacopo Borgalli scored TMU’s second goal of the night on a header (2-3). Trailing by just one with three minutes to go in regulation, sophomore Dylan McKendry crossed the ball into the box which allowed senior Clayton Kelly to kick in the tying goal into the bottom left corner of the net (3-3).
Most notable in the second overtime period, senior Evan Gaffney made an incredible diving save on a penalty kick in the final two minutes, which could have won the game for the visiting Lions. Bryan outshot the Bears 32-7, with 12 on goal, but Gaffney was credited eight clutch saves on the night. Rodriguez led TMU with three shots, two on goal.
Up next, the Bears are set to host Reinhardt University on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at 3:15 p.m., before hitting the road for Bluefield College on Sunday, Oct. 6.
