BABSON PARK, Fla. (September 1, 2018) – After a comeback effort to win its season opener two days ago, the Webber International University men's soccer team had to come back again on Saturday, this time facing a two-goal deficit, and in the end, the Warriors were able to draw a 2-2 tie against NCAA Division-II Georgia Southwestern State University.
The first goal for Georgia Southwestern (0-1-1) come on a penalty kick seven and half minutes into the action. It was the second penalty kick given up by the Warriors in as many matches.
The Hurricanes then doubled up the score five and a half minutes later; but seven minutes later, Webber (1-0-1) got on the board thanks to a goal by
Mateo Sassoni off the cross from the near side by
Orian Burzic.
Just over 11 minutes into the second half, the Warriors found the equalizer on a penalty kick of their own from
Baxter Smith, his second-match tying goal in as many matches.
"Our guys showed a lot of character today being down 2-0 so early on," said
Neil Cockburn. "Playing with a man down in the second half and fighting back to tie the game, considering we just played 48 hours prior, the boys really showed a lot of heart and passion that's more important than tactics and formations."
In the two 10-minute overtime periods, Webber goalkeeper
Thomas Debladis made a save on all three of the Hurricanes' shot attempts during the extra time, and finished with nine saves in total after stopping five shots during Thursday's match.
Two of Webber's best chances to take the match came in the final overtime period as
MacKinley Burns fired an open shot just wide in the 115th minute, and then in the final minute, a header from
Bryan Meija was saved by the Georgia Southwestern goalkeeper.
Smith, Sassoni and Meija each led the team with three shot attempts. After nine different Warriors finished with at least one shot attempt on Thursday, it was eight Warriors with at least one attempt on Saturday.
Next up, Webber will play away from its home turf for the first time on Labor Day, Monday, September 3, at 3:30 p.m. against Middle Georgia State University during the SEU Invitational in Lakeland, Florida.
