MEN’S SOCCER

The Forester men’s soccer team (1-0-1) went toe-to-toe with #12 Georgia Gwinnett (1-0-1) and held their own against one of the nation’s best to finish in a 1-1 draw after two extra periods.

While the Grizzlies generated over twice as many shots as their hosts, HU struck first on a counter in the 24th minute when Caleb Sexton sent a penetrating ball into Noah Fleming who blistered a shot past the outstretched arms of GGC keeper Matija Gligorovic. It would be a lead that would stick through halftime and deep into the second half.

The equalizer came with just under 11 minutes left in regulation on a 30-foot rocket by Milton Alfaro to deadlock things at 1-1 and send the game to what proved a pair of overtimes. The Grizzlies had two looks in the first overtime while Sexton’s blast late in the second OT was tipped off the bar by Gligorovic as neither team could find back netting to make for the final stalemate.

“I was pleased with our first half mindset, but it felt a little like a tale of two halves,” said Coach Lawson. “We had the will and desire to defend in the second period but we weren’t clean enough connecting out of the back field into the middle of the park to generate consistent possession.”

Gabe Greenfield came up with several incredible reaction saves early on and late in regulation to keep his team in it. The junior keeper finished with seven saves on the day.

For the Grizzlies, this is their eighth year as a program with former Huntington coach Steve DeCou serving as their skipper since the program’s inception in 2012. DeCou has led Georgia Gwinnett to the NAIA National Tournament on five different occasions.

“Obviously when you go up against a quality side like Georgia Gwinnett, to come away with a result is encouraging,” notd Lawson. “There’s still plenty of work to be done and improve upon but we will use today to build on.”

It doesn’t get any easier for Lawson and crew as they hit the road on Wednesday to face #4 Madonna at 4:00 p.m.