Cougars Earn 1-1 Tie Against Marauders

SIOUX FALLS, SD -- Backed by goalie Kyle Simons' seven saves, the University of Sioux Falls men's soccer team earned a 1-1 tie with the University of Mary on Saturday afternoon at USF Field.

The Cougars and Marauders combined for a total of 28 shots during the 110-minute marathon, but two overtimes were not enough as the match resulted in USF's first tie of the season.

USF now stands at 1-8-1 and 1-5-1 in GNAC play, while the University of Mary moves to 3-6-2 and 2-4-1 within the conference.

The match began with both teams trading shots in the first half. A total of five would bounce off the feet of USF and Mary players, with three belonging to Marauder Jonathon Sellars and a pair claimed by the Cougar halfback Ashton Carlson. The Cougars struck in the 27th minute, when senior Ryan Keohane shot a bending free kick to the top shelf from three yards outside the box to give USF a 1-0 lead.

The tally was disputed by the Mary side, which resulted in a yellow card for the visitors. The Marauders fired a bevy of shots in the closing minutes but Simons was able to turn each away and the Cougars took the 1-0 in the half.

The Cougar defense clamped down, allowing just two shots in the first 17 minutes of play, but an untimely USF foul allowed the Marauders to break through in the 62nd minute. Rory Pratt redirected Aaron McElwee's free kick and put the ball in the back of the net to knot the score at 1-1.

McElwee attempted to put the Marauders up in the 66th and 77th minutes with a long shot from 30 yards out and an off-balanced shot from close range, but Simons snared both balls to keep the score tied.

Mark Tollefsrud gave USF a chance with less than two minutes to go in regulation, but his shot was saved by Mary keeper Michael Frenzel and sent the match into overtime.

Each team recorded one shot on goal in the two overtime sessions. The match ended on a shot by Brice Holiday that went wide of the net.

USF hits the road for its next two GNAC matches. The Cougars will travel to Bellingham, Wash., to face Western Washington on Oct. 11 and then will travel to our neighbors to the north to clash with Simon Fraser (Burnaby, British Columbia) on Oct. 13.

Courtesy:  University of Sioux Falls