After a tough defeat to Northwestern on the road on Friday night, the Florida Gulf Coast University men’s soccer team battle back against the Michigan Wolverines to earn a 2-2 draw in a double overtime in the team’s opener Monday night.
“We came out flat in the first half,” Forward Dylan Sacramento said. “We paid for it and we went down two goals but we had our chances.”
Michigan dominated FGCU in the first half of the game, which marked the first-ever meeting between the two teams. The Eagles failed to connect passes and gained possession of the ball.
The Wolverine attacked early, and their aggressive attacking paid off in the six minutes of the first half when Jack Hallahan ripped a shot past Sawyer Jackman from 22 yards out.
As Michigan continued to dominate, the Eagles found themselves chasing the ball in every corner as if it was a scrimmage. Michael Kapitula took advantage of FGCU’s mistake when he crossed the ball from the left side to Ivo Cerda who headed the ball straight in the back of the net. This put Michigan up two goals in the first 12 minutes of the game.
Even being down by that many, the Eagles fans kept their hope up and sang “I believe that we can win” and waving the Eagles’ flag. The crowed was electrifying. They moved from one side of the field to another before the second half begins.
Michigan goalkeeper, Evan Louro, who made just two saves in the first period, found himself in trouble in the second half. As the Eagles refused to get the ball out of the attacking, Evan forced to make big plays to keep his team in the game.
The Eagles took control after half time. Their 15-8 shot advantage was too much for the Wolverines as their aggression on the offensive lead to their first goal.
The penalty expert, Ruiz, so calm as the breezy wind swept his feet and rain and sweat ran down his face, slotted the ball left of the keeper to make his second of the season.
“Having so many penalty kicks shows we play great soccer,” Ruiz said. “Everything is mental. I feel confident every time and my teammates have a lot of faith in me so I just go up there and make it happen.”
Three minutes after cutting the lead to one Luiz Perez played a ball at a give and go with Ruiz to get a good look on goal, scoring from 23 yards away to level the score 2-2.
Louro and Jackman both made some incredible saves to keep the score level. With five minutes left on the first OT, Shak Adams shot smack on the far left post and a couples other opportunities by Perez that were met by Louro’s Gloves.
A single-game record set by the Eagles of 29 shots, 10 of the 29 reaching the frame of the goal. Meanwhile Sacramento tied the program record for shots in a single-game with eight.
