(Surprise, AZ) The Park University Gilbert men’s soccer team played a barn burner against OUAZ at Spirit Field, with the Bucs and Spirit finishing in a 4-4 tie.
Park Gilbert now has a record of 0-2-1 on the season, but probably walks off the field feeling as though they missed an opportunity for a win.
The Buccaneers jumped to a 2-1 lead at halftime behind first half goals by Ashton Owen, his second of the season and Simon Puchner, his first. This is the first halftime lead the Buccaneers have had this season.
The second half saw the Bucs post two more goals, the first by freshman Konstantinos Hinteregger, getting his first career goal and Puchner burying his second of the contest to give the Bucs a 4-1 lead. The Spirit came roaring back scoring three unanswered goals in less than three minutes after the Bucs took the three-goal advantage to tie the game 4-4 with just over 12 minutes remaining.
Both goalies were left reeling in this contest as Park had 10 total shots with seven of them on goal while OUAZ peppered Park goalkeeper Zac Stephenson with 19 shots, 10 of them on goal. Park had the lead on corner kicks with a 6-3 advantage.
With most men’s games the action is physical. Tonight, it went to another level as Park Gilbert garnered eight yellow cards and OUAZ was given six. On top of that, the two teams combined for 20 fouls (11, Park; 9, OUAZ).
The Buccaneers will now head to Oregon to for their last non-conference match against Warner Pacific this Saturday, September 2 at 5 p.m.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English