Highlander
Men Play University of Mobile to a 1-1 Tie in
Double OT
Houghton, NY—Forgive the Houghton College men’s soccer team for
their feeling of déjà vu, but their second game of the season sure
looked an awful lot like the first.
Friday night, for the second time in a week, the Highlanders battled
through two overtimes to a 1-1 tie—this time against the University of
Mobile (Alabama) Rams, who came into the game ranked #24 in the NAIA.
The Highlanders struck first this time, with Austin Beck collecting his
second goal of the season 17:34 into the game. Beck collected the
rebound from a sizzling shot by midfielder Steve Grudda that Rams
goalkeeper Jayson Williams couldn’t quite control and found a slight
opening from a difficult angle to the left of the net.
In the second half, though, the Rams started to carry some of the play
to the Highlanders, controlling midfield better and pressing into the
attack. Just after the 69-minute mark, Geert Slits tied up the game with
a left-footed volley off a corner kick from Onesimus Ikongo.
“They’re a strong side,” said Highlanders Head Coach Matthew Webb, “In
the second half they threw more numbers forward and caused us some
problems. We had trouble responding.”
Play was more even through the two ten-minute overtimes, although
Houghton dodged a Rams scoring opportunity when a header went off the
crossbar.
The game was the second of a double-header played at Burke Field as part
of the Highlander Classic Tournament, sponsored by Sports Locker of
Olean. In the opener, Rio Grande University, ranked #4 in the NAIA,
dominated Bethel College (Mishawaka, IN) but could only find the net
once, winning 1-0.
The teams will mix it up and play again Saturday with Rio taking on UM
at 5 pm in the opener and the Highlanders hosting Bethel in the nightcap
at 7 pm. Houghton and Rio Grande won’t play in this tournament, but the
Highlanders will travel to the Redmen’s campus for an American Mideast
Conference matchup on September 22.
