CHICKASHA, Okla. – The No. 12 MACU Men's Soccer team found its down two goals going into the half, but the resilient Evangels stormed back in the second half as MACU's top scorers Federico Palacios and Enzo Nogue found the back of the net to force the 2-2 draw against Science & Arts at McLaughlin Field on Tuesday night.
 
SCORING SUMMARY

• 1^st Half – USAO – 6:10 – Goal: Leonardo Schneider (1), Assist: Callum Shepard – USAO 1, MACU 0
• 1^st Half – USAO – 39:06 – Goal: Darko Borisavljevic (4), Assist: Dani Suarez – USAO 2, MACU 0
• 2^nd Half – MACU – 52:58 – Goal: Federico Palacios (4), Assist: Pietro Musso – USAO 2, MACU 1
• 2^nd Half – MACU – 74:48 – Goal: Enzo Nogue (6) – MACU 2, USAO 2

MATCH SUMMARY

• First Half
  • Science & Arts (4-3-3, 1-0-1 SAC) was able to capture the early advantage in the seventh minute when Callum Shepard delivered a stellar cross from the right side of the 18-yard box to Leonardo Schneider breaking in toward the top of the left side box. He put a hard-struck one-timer from 17-yards into the right side of the net to make it 1-0 USAO.
  • Mid-America Christian (6-1-3, 1-0-1 SAC) had its most dangerous chance at an equalizer come in the 26^th minute when Francois Geris-Rey dispossessed the Drovers deep in their defensive third and heel flicked to Lucas Catosso inside the box. Catosso managed to get by one defender and get a good close look from 10-yards out, but his shot toward the right post was saved by USAO keeper Angel Diaz to keep MACU off the board.
  • The Drovers extended their lead to two with just under six minutes remaining in the half when USAO was able to work the ball through the MACU defense down the left side toward the middle before ending up at the foot of Dani Suarez wide-open on the right side of the box. With the defense collapsing, he lined a cross in toward the left post that was punched in by Darko Borisavljevic.
• Second Half
  • It didn't take long for MACU to find some momentum to start the second half as the Drovers misplayed a header on a deep ball sent down the right side as the loose ball sailed down for Pietro Musso to run down the loose ball before going out the end line. He then delivered a perfect pass to Federico Palacios cutting in toward the left post as the sophomore forward tapped it in for the open score, making it a 2-1 game.
  • In the 57^th minute, the Drovers had a chance to retake a two-goal lead when Callum Shepard received a through ball into the midfield and launched a deep curling kick that MACU keeper Claudio Fuentealba was able to readjust to make the diving save, keeping it to a one-goal game.
  • Mid-America Christian managed to receive some help from some more self-inflicted wounds by the Drovers when in the 69^th minute, USAO's Stijn Iding was assessed a red card, forcing USAO to play with 10 men over the final 21:27 of the contest.
  • The Evangels were set up for a free opportunity at goal in the 75^th minute when Enzo Nogue's deep send into the right side was fielded by Edoardo Salmaso, but as Salmaso was trying to make the cross into the middle of the box, he was undercut by Diaz collapsing on the play, setting up MACU with the penalty kick. On the free attempt, Nogue stepped to the spot and rifled his shot inside the left post to draw the match even at 2-2.
  • MACU had a couple of great chances at a potential winner in the final minute as Uviwe Qasha and Lucas Catosso both got great looks, but Diaz made two strong saves to maintain the 2-2 result.

MATCH NOTES

• Despite the even result, Mid-America Christian played well defensively out of its two defensive lapses as the Evangels held the Drovers to only six shots in the match with three being on-goal while MACU tallied 14 shots with eight being on-frame.
• Federico Palacios continued his torrid goal scoring pace over the last three weeks as he has netted a goal in each of the last four contests, extending his point total to 10 on the season. The assist for Pietro Musso on his goal marked his second dime of the season for his fourth point.
• The penalty kick goal for Enzo Nogue not only extended his team-lead to six on the season, but it was also his fourth penalty score of the season, boosting his season point tally to 15.
• By rallying to force the draw, the Evangels extended their unbeaten streak to eight matches against the Drovers. It was also the third-straight time the Evangels and Drovers have forced a draw in their regular season meeting.

COACH AARON HOXIE'S ANALYSIS

• "The overwhelming feeling is one of pride…to come back from two goals against that team and have multiple chances to win the game, I couldn't ask for much more in the second half. Of course, the other side of the spectrum is to ask the obvious questions about why we keep conceding early and often."
• "Fair play to USAO, they are getting healthy at the right time and are well versed in what they do. We got their very best effort tonight and a road point is good, all things considered."
• "We will get back to it again on Thursday. We have an important game coming up and we can't afford to drop points anymore. Need to get back to our winning ways."

UP NEXT

• Mid-America Christian will return home on Saturday for their Senior Night match against Central Christian. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. at the Dill Soccer Field while MACU will honor its senior class following the completion of the women's game.