Quintino Lema and his University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) Men’s Soccer teammates returned home to the UNCG Soccer Stadium and posted a 1-1 double overtime tie against Southern Conference foe East Tennessee State.
University of North Carolina at Greensboro opened the just 8:11 into the game as their early pressure forced back-to-back corner kicks. On the second set piece, freshman Leeroy sent a long ball into the six-yard box. Junior forward Damieon was able to rise above his defender and head home the ball past ETSU goalkeeper Jonny Sutherland for the early 1-0 lead. The goal was Thomas’ team-leading fifth of the season.
University of North Carolina at Greensboro controlled play for most of the first half, holding a 5-2 edge in corner kicks and maintain possession for most of the half but only took a 1-0 lead into the locker room. East Tennessee State came out in the second half and flipped the script, controlling the run of play as it posted a 13-3 edge in shots in the second half.
East Tennessee finally broke through in the 80th minute of play as Ben Holt made a long run down the right-hand side. Holt sent a cross that went all the way across the mouth of the goal where Fletcher Ekern was there to bury it on the back post past freshman goalkeeper Jon Milligan tying the game at 1-1.
University of North Carolina at Greensboro looked like they would tie the game in the 81st minute of play. Sophomore midfielder Moises Gonzalez found some space at the top of the 18-yard box and ripped a bending shot past Sutherland, but it struck the cross bar and went out of play in the final strong chance of regulation.
UNCG had the first chance of the extra time in the 95th minute of play off a set piece. Maguraushe sent a perfect service into the box where junior Corey Croegaert was there to flick the ball towards the back post. The ball was destined for the far corner but Sutherland made a diving one-handed save to push the shot wide and keep the game tied.
East Tennessee State had a chance in the final seconds of the first overtime. Cameron Woodfin got behind the UNCG defense with 10 seconds left in the period and beat Milligan with a shot from the top of the 18-yard box, but the shot hit the cross bar to keep the game going.
University of North Carolina at Greensboro had a prime chance in the 108th minute of play as senior midfielder Ben Burdon was hauled down in the box and UNCG was awarded a penalty kick. Maguraushe stepped up to the spot and had Sutherland beat with his shot but it struck the inside of the post and bounced back into play where ETSU was able to clear it to seal the 1-1 tie.
