Trojans Secure a Point in Wild Draw with Cougars

Broadcast Highlights

UPLAND, Ind. – A slow start from both teams Saturday evening gave way to an entertaining back-and-forth affair that resulted in a 3-3 draw between the Taylor men's soccer team (3-5-1, 0-0-1 CL) and Saint Francis (7-2-1, 0-0-1) on opening night of Crossroads League action.

Neither team was able to consistently drive the ball deep into the opponents' end through the first 27 minutes of play, which saw only three shot attempts combined. A foul inside the penalty area by USF late in the 28th minute kickstarted the action, however. Justin Devlin took the penalty kick and drilled it home for his second goal of the season, both of which have come on penalty shots.

The Cougars responded roughly 14 minutes later with a penalty shot of their own, booted in by Daniel Eleuterio.

Not to be outdone, TU answered right back in the 43rd minute when Carlos Sanabria corralled a jump ball a dozen yards from the net and used a nifty step-through move to set himself up for a curling, right-legged shot that found the left-hand portion of the goal. The score marked the freshman's first of his career and gave the Trojans a 2-1 lead heading into halftime.

Though the Trojans were outshot in the period 7-3, they converted on both of their shots on goal to gain the advantage on the scoreboard. Additionally, Sam Spiegel made a pair of saves, the latter coming on what appeared to be a golden opportunity for Saint Francis in the 35th minute.

USF made a nice cross less than four minutes into the second half to set up the equalizer, which it converted on to even the match at 2-2.

Once again though, Taylor came right back with a go-ahead goal by Brian Matipa, his first of the season. Matipa's footwork and speed, which has been on display all year, was showcased again as he dribbled along the left sideline before swerving in front of the net and firing his shot. 

The score remained 3-2 in favor of Taylor throughout the next 20-plus minutes, thanks in part to a strong showing by TU's defenders. Saint Francis was able to again find the equalizer in the 74th minute, however, on a through ball that set up Eleuterio's second score of the night.

A barrage of violations on both teams prevented a single shot attempt from occurring in the waning seven minutes of play, as TU secured a point in the CL standings with the 3-3 result.

Spiegel made three saves on the night, as the Trojans' defense was able to fend off most of the 13 shots from USF. Taylor finished the game being outshot by five, but it held its own in the shots on goal department with five compared to the Cougars' six.

TU looks to build on this performance on Wednesday, Sept. 27, when it travels to No. 5 Grace (7-2-0, 1-0-0 CL) for an 8 p.m. kickoff.