The Aquinas men's soccer team finishes in a tie with Madonna after two overtimes on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 23). At the MU Soccer Field, the Saints scored once in the first half and the Crusaders, who are receiving votes in the top-25 poll, scored the equalizer in the second half as the game finished tied 1-1 after 110 minutes of play.
The Saints' overall record now stands at 4-5-3 with a WHAC record of 4-2-2, while the Crusaders' overall record is currently 7-2-4 and 4-1-3 in the WHAC. Aquinas currently sits in fifth place in the conference standings and is within a half of a game of fourth place behind Madonna with two more games left in the regular season.
AQ struck early in the game by netting the first goal in the 19th minute.
Liam Travers was able to play a long ball to
Mason Sills for his second goal of the season. In a half of not many opportunities, the Saints were able to take the 1-0 lead into the half after Aquinas took five total shots and Madonna took one.
For most of the second half, Aquinas was winning the defensive game up until the 78th minute when AQ was called for a penalty in the box. Wagner Gameiro for the Crusaders stepped up and was able to even the game at one after scoring on the penalty kick heading into the last part of the second half and eventually into overtime.
Both teams had chances throughout the two 10-minute overtime periods with the Saints finishing with four shots and the Crusaders finishing with five. Eventually the final whistle blew and the game ended in a draw.
Jared Ireland (3-0-2) remains unbeaten this season, but allowed his first goal after first playing 469 minutes of scoreless soccer. Ireland made seven saves in the 110 minutes. Youssou Ouendeno was in net for MU and made one save, while allowing the first goal.
Aquinas was outshot by Madonna by a slim 11-10 margin and put eight shots on net compared to AQ's two. MU also held a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks, while the Saints committed 18 fouls to the Crusaders' 13.
Aquinas will return home to continue WHAC play by facing Siena Heights on Wednesday (Oct. 27) at the AQ Athletic Field, with kick-off scheduled for 7:00 PM.
