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(Photos by Jeff McCurry and Kody Kahle, NKU Sports Information)
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. –
Kevin Walker scored a late equalizer in regulation and the Northern Kentucky University men's soccer team battled Florida Gulf Coast University to a 1-1 tie in double overtime on Thursday night at the NKU Soccer Stadium.
Playing its first-ever Atlantic Sun Conference match, NKU (2-7-1, 0-0-1 A-Sun) earned the impressive draw against the two-time defending A-Sun champions. The Norse outshot FGCU (3-4-2, 0-0-1 A-Sun) 16-9, despite the Eagles controlling a majority of the possessions.
NKU head coach
John Basalyga was pleased that his team came away with a draw.
“Anytime you can get a result against a team like (FGCU), that is great. They are very, very good,” Basalyga said. “They ping the ball around as well as anybody we've seen all year. We hit the ball in (the box) a couple times, and we hung in there and battled. We found a way to tie the score up, and had some chances at the end.”
FGCU scored the opening goal of the game in the 32nd minute. Santiago Echeverri dribbled into the penalty area, and slid a through ball to Henry Penagos. Penagos broke free, and was able to beat Norse keeper
A.J. Fleak for his second goal of the year, giving the Eagles the 1-0 lead.
Walker and the Norse found the equalizer in the 76th minute.
Michael Bartlett won a free kick just outside the center circle, setting up a set piece.
Danny Laird took the kick, and he drilled the ball into the penalty area, where Walker got his head onto it, pushing it past FGCU keeper Nathan Ingham to tie the game.
“I just skipped the ball behind me, and I turned around and saw (the ball) roll in,” Walker said of the tying goal, which was his second marker of the season.
The game went into overtime, where both teams had opportunities to win. Walker had a shot turned away on a breakaway, and Fleak made a diving save in the closing minutes of the first overtime.
The physical game featured five cautions, including a straight red card to FGCU's Felipe DeSousa in the 106th minute. Fleak made three saves on the night to improve his personal season record to 2-2-1 in just his fourth game back from injury this season.
The Norse will wrap up their non-conference schedule at home on Oct. 9 when they host IPFW at the NKU Soccer Stadium. Kickoff against the Mastodons is scheduled for 6 p.m.
