Cougars Lose Heartbreaker to IWU Wildcats with Late Goal
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Saint Francis (Ind.) (7-7-2, 0-6-1) | 0 | 1 | 1 |
|
(RV) Indiana Wesleyan (10-3-3, 4-2-1) | 1 | 1 | 2 |
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – On Saturday evening the University of Saint Francis Cougars (7-7-2; 0-6-1 Crossroads) traveled to Marion, Indiana to take on the Indiana Wesleyan University Wildcats (10-3-3; 4-2-1 Crossroads) and despite a hard-fought battle fell 2-1 as the Wildcats scored the game-winner late.
As the game got started, the Cougars found themselves in an immediate hole as the Wildcats scored the game's first goal on just their second shot of the game in the eighth minute.
Freshman goalkeeper Joe Deitering stepped up to make a few more saves to keep it a one-goal game and then the rest of the first half went back-and-forth with both teams exchanging shots but all to no avail.
The game went to halftime with the Cougars trailing 1-0. Throughout the first half the Cougars managed three shots against five shots for the Wildcats.
Heading into the second half the Cougars kept fighting and their persistence paid off. In the game's 55th minute, junior midfielder Josh Patrone passed the ball across midfield to sophomore defender Brayden Gillman who knocked it in to tie the game at one.
The game progressed with both teams exchanging shots but both goalkeepers stepped in to make the saves they needed to make.
Unfortunately for the Cougars, a bad bounce late in the frame went against them as the Wildcats got a break to knock in their second goal of the game in the 85th minute to take a 2-1 lead.
Saint Francis continued to scratch and claw their way back, but the Wildcats proved too resilient as the Cougars suffered a tough 2-1 loss.
Throughout the game the Cougars managed eight shots with one goal, while the Wildcats had 14 shots, and Deitering made four saves against two goals allowed.
The Cougars resume play on Wednesday evening when they travel to Huntington, Indiana to take on the Huntington University Foresters (10-4-1; 3-2-1 Crossroads) beginning at 4:00 pm.
Cougar fans, stay updated with all events and recaps with USF Athletics by visiting Saintfranciscougars.com or by downloading the Saint Francis Cougars app.