Eagles, Patriots Battle to a Draw

WILMORE, Ky. – An offensive explosion wilted into a tough-luck draw on Wednesday night for the Asbury men’s soccer team, playing to a 4-4 double-overtime tie with St. Catharine.  The Eagles held a late 4-2 lead before allowing the tying goal with just under seven minutes to play.

Redshirt-sophomore Zach Welch (DeLand, Fla.) scored the first two goals for the Eagles, the second in the 40th minute to tie the score, 2-2, heading to the break.  Asbury (1-0-1) would build a 4-2 lead midway through the second half as Adam Howard (Nicholasville, Ky.) scored his first career goal in the 57th minute.  Trent Popp (Danville, Ind.) added his third of the season in the 72nd minute, seemingly giving the Eagles a lead big enough to hold on for the win.

13 seconds after Popp’s goal, St. Catharine’s Sam Kpoh grabbed a loose ball in front of the net and cut the deficit in half.  Anthony Steele would add the game-tying goal in the 84th minute as the Asbury defense failed to clear the ball from their own penalty area and Steele knocked it in off the post.

Both teams would have their chances in the two overtime sessions, maybe none better than the last sequence for the Eagles.  Stephen Mitchell picked up a deflected corner just outside the 18 and fired a laser that Patriot keeper Justin Mills turned away with forty seconds to play.  In the final seconds Trent Popp came streaking across the box and just missed wide with a final plea for a game-winner.

Dylan Fouts (Lexington, Ky.) made five saves in goal for the Eagles, including one from close range in the final frame.  The Eagles put half of their 20 shots on frame on the night, as Mills made six saves.  Popp led the Eagles with six shots on the night, putting four on target.

The Eagles have a quick turnaround as they host University of Pikeville on Friday night at 7 p.m.