Mid-America Christian University

ALEXANDRIA, La. – The MACU Men's Soccer team wrapped up its non-conference play with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against LSU Alexandria at the Generals Soccer Complex on Thursday afternoon.
 
SCORE

• Mid-America Christian 1, LSU Alexandria 1
  • Mid-America Christian (7-1-1)
  • LSU Alexandria (4-1-3)

SCORING SUMMARY

• 2^nd Half – MACU – 60:10 – Goal: Filliph Kamfjord (5), Assists: Gabriel Avellan, Ebenezer Boti – MACU 1, LSUA 0
• 2^nd Half – LSUA – 61:15 – Goal: Javier Hernandez (2) – MACU 1, LSUA 1

MATCH SUMMARY

• First Half
  • It was a defensive struggle through the first X minutes as the only shot on-goal for either side came off the head of LSU Alexandria's Pablo Novoa Martin off a right-side corner that was easily scooped up by MACU goalkeeper Julian Huertas in the 11^th minute.
  • Mid-America Christian put together a dangerous chance in the 19^th minute when Kamfjord's takeaway in the midfield led to a strong give-and-go back to Kamfjord on the left side. Unfortunately, his relatively open look just went left of the left post, resulting in an LSUA goal kick.
  • MACU's first chance on-goal came in the 27^th minute when a misplayed long shot by LSUA off a clearance allowed Leonardo Leitao to drive up the field before finding Ellis Dunn on the right side. However, his long-distance attempt toward the left post was grabbed off the bounce by LSUA keeper Jayden Peglar.
• Second Half
  • After nearly 40 minutes without a shot on-goal, the Generals had the first opportunity on-frame in the 51^st minute. Following a set piece for MACU that was cleared out of the box, LSUA went on a quick counter as Genis Alcaide Armengol managed to get a shot away from the top of the box, but it was grounded right to Huertas for the easy save.
  • LSU Alexandria had another strong chance on a set piece following a MACU foul on the left side. The floater landed into the right side of the box as LSUA's Alexandria Kaya Karabeyez-Cowling's great chance just sailed over the crossbar in the 54^th minute.
  • Mid-America Christian's best chance at scoring the first goal came in the 60^th minute when Dunn was taken down just a few feet outside the 18-yard box. Dunn also attempted the free kick, but Peglar made a sensational diving save on the attempt shot high toward the top left from the right side.
  • Just a minute later, the Evangels found the go-ahead in the 61^st minute off the ensuing corner kick. After a couple of head flicks in the box off Jimmy Cabrera's corner, Ebenezer Boti flicked a pass back to Kamfjord from Avellan's header toward the right goal line, who smashed a header of his own into the right post to make it a 1-0 game.
  • Just two minutes later, LSU Alexandria found the equalizer following a MACU foul on the right side of the pitch. The ensuing free kick in the middle of the box was initially a well-placed header by Martin that Huertas made a sensational diving save to his left, however, Javier Hernandez was unmarked on the rebound as he fired it into the open net to draw the match even at 1-1.
  • MACU had a chance at going ahead just before the Hydration Break at the 70^th minute when Leitao dribbled around multiple defenders on the right side of the box before flicking it to Elias Hirt on the left side, but he pushed his header just wide of the left post.
  • In the 84^th minute, MACU went up to a man-advantage when LSU's Juan Buitrago was issued a straight red card for a high foot that hit the face of the Evangels defender.
  • Unfortunately, the Evangels were unable to put a shot on-frame over the final six minutes of the match as the two teams battled to a 1-1 draw.

MATCH NOTES

• Both teams were relatively even on the offensive end as each team finished with nine shots, but LSU Alexandria was slightly more accurate by placing five shots on-goal to just three for the Evangels.
• Filliph Kamfjord continued to be a goal-scoring machine for the Evangels as he netted his team-leading fifth goal of the season.
• The assists on the play was credited to Gabriel Avellan, making it his second assist of the campaign while Ebenezer Boti notched his first career assist with the Evangels.
• The goal conceded by the Evangels was just the fourth they've allowed this season and only the third allowed outside of a penalty kick.
• Julian Huertas was credited with his first collegiate draw after allowing only one goal and tying a career-high four saves for a solid .800 save percentage.
• MACU is still seeking its first win against LSU Alexandria as the contest marked only the second time the two programs have ever met with the first resulting in a 2-1 defeat on Sept. 6, 2014 in Victoria, Texas.

UP NEXT

• Mid-America Christian will be on the road to begin Sooner Athletic Conference play as the Evangels head to Goodwell, Okla. on Saturday, Sept. 26 for a 7:30 pm kickoff at Anchor D Stadium.