Lakewood, CO - Another hot and dry afternoon saw a gritty back and forth clash between CCU and CUI. A late goal from the Golden Eagles would seal the 2-2 draw as the Cougars remain unbeaten at home.
Despite playing their second game in four days, the Cougars came out hot, creating several quality chances early on. The Cougars and Golden Eagles would exchange several shots in the opening minutes, the best opportunity of the match coming from a Ben Brown breakaway that would go just wide.
As the Cougars continued to press,
Iasonas Nikolaidis broke the silence in the 40
th minute. Picking up the ball in the middle of the pitch, Nikolaidis would find a turning Zimmerman, who would spray the ball out wide to a sprinting
Rayce Haldy. Cutting the ball back across the 18, Nikolaidis only needed two touches to find the net. After a quality first touch, Nikolaidis whipped the ball off the top left post, a perfect finish, putting the Cougars up 1-0.
CUI only took 34 second to respond, drawing a handball in the box for a penalty with just 4 minutes left in the half. A penalty that would find the back of the net, the half ended in a deadlock with a goal a piece to both sides.
The second half brought a defensive showdown from both teams, only 2 shots a side allowed in the first 15 minutes.
Kylar Carr wrote his name on the scoresheet for the first time, scoring his first goal of the season in the 62
nd minute off a corner from Nikolaidis. A floated ball in the middle of the box, Carr would powerfully head the ball far post, leaving the keeper stuck in his tracks as the ball found the back of the net. Â
Both sides continued to press for the next goal, each having chance after chance.
Rayce Haldy nearly came away with the game ending goal, skipping the ball past the keeper on a speedy breakaway, just missing the post inches wide.
The day saw the Golden Eagles survive on set pieces, finding the game tying goal with just 3 minutes left in the game off a corner. A far post ball would find a wide open CUI header, kissing the post just past Wolfgram's outstretched hand. The late equalizer would seal the game, ending in a 2-2 draw.
Nikolaidis and Carr each found the back of the net for the first time this year, Nikolaidis leading the stat sheet with an added assist.
Rayce Haldy continues to contribute to the scoresheet, notching his second assist in as many games.
Now 1-1-1, the Cougars close out their three game week against Biola on Saturday, September 5
th. Kickoff is set for 11am MST at Trailblazer Stadium.
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