Men’s Soccer Comes Back, Then Settles For Draw at LTU

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SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — In a roller coaster Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) opener, the Marygrove men’s soccer team went down 2-0, then up 3-2, before settling for a 3-3 draw on Saturday (Sept. 26) against Lawrence Tech in Southfield, Mich. The tie brings the Mustangs record to 3-4-1 overall and 0-0-1 in WHAC play.

The Blue Devils of Lawrence Tech sit at 4-3-1 overall and 0-0-1 in conference action as both teams earned a point in WHAC play as a result of the deadlock.

Goals in the 12th and 15th minutes by Alvaro Garcia and Tyler Winningham put the host Blue Devils up, 2-0, leaving the Mustangs reeling in the early stages of the conference tilt. The Winningham tally uncharacteristically snuck by talented Mustang keeper Austin Valentine, stunning the Green and Gold to begin the WHAC contest.

Two minutes later, Mario Morana (Sterling Heights, Mich./Macomb CC) struck from 20-out with a right-footed laser inside the near-side post. Morana’s 17th minute tally gave the Mustangs life, bringing the Green and Gold to within one, 2-1, while scoring his first collegiate goal in the process. Oneil Robinson (Montego Bay, Jamaica/Cornwall College) was credited with the assist on the Morana goal.

Gaoussou Cisse (Abidjan, Ivory Coast/Lathrup High School) scored his second goal in as many games – also the second of his career – when Morana found him in the box for the goal. Cisse’s goal came in the 24th minute of the game as the Mustangs evened up the contest minutes after digging an 0-2 hole.

The assist was Morana’s first of his career as well, completing a three-point day for the junior forward/midfielder.

In the 44th minute, Gonzalo Caceres (Detroit, Mich./Southwestern High School) curved a beauty inside the far pole off of his own corner kick to give the Mustang a 3-2 heading into the halftime break.

Numerous missed chances from the Mustangs and a late Blue Devil goal sent the game to overtime where neither team could tuck in the game-winner.

The Mustangs host Michigan-Dearborn on Wednesday (Sept. 30) at 4 p.m. as part of a WHAC doubleheader with the women’s soccer team. The women’s team hosts Concordia-Ann Arbor to begin the day at 1 p.m. Both matches will covered by the Mustang Sports Network with live video beginning at 12:45 p.m.

MEN’S SOCCER CONTACT: Tim Johnston | [email protected]/* */ | @tjohnston56
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