(CLEVELAND, Ga.) – The Truett McConnell University men’s soccer team hosted University of Pikeville in an Appalachian Athletic Conference battle on Wednesday, where the game was forced to a draw after both teams only chance at goal proved a battle of the penalty kicks (1-1). TMU is currently sitting at an overall record of 9-2-3, 7-2-3 AAC, while UPike sits at an overall record of 5-9-3, 2-7-3 AAC.
PLAY-BY-PLAY
The Bears dominated on the visiting team’s side of the field from the start as back-to-back shots by Max Farris, a shot from Jose Ventura and a shot by Oscar Brennan put pressure on goal. UPike was capable of making their way to the Bears side of the field, where a foul in the box offered the visiting team a penalty kick shot that resulted in the first goal of the game (0-1). TMU retaliated with shots of their own, but a persistent UPike defense kept the Bears at bay for the remainder of the half.
The second half saw both teams aggressive on offense, while Keeper Aleksa Lukic stayed sharp in goal. Shots from Brennan and Ventura added pressure to the UPike defense, followed by a shot from Farris and a header that barely missed high by Hendrik Metje. Multiple earned corner kicks saw TMU fight at goal for the remainder of regulation, and in the final 13 seconds a foul in the visiting teams box offered the Bears a final chance to get even as Brennan took a penalty kick shot that found the back of the net, ultimately resulting in a 1-1 draw.
LEADERS
Farris led the way with second shots, three on goal, followed by Ventura who had six shots, three on goal. Brennan was seen recording the only goal of the day for the Bears from a PK shot, along with four shots, two on goal. Metje, Ogi Vrkic and Andro Filipovic recorded one shot apiece, while Lukic recorded four saves on the day.
UP NEXT
The Bears host their final regular season match-up of the season on Friday, October 27, where they are set to face AAC foe Reinhardt University at 6:00 p.m.
