There are times when a tie is a satisfying result, and other times the result is disappointing. Friday's tie with Mount St. Joseph definitely falls into the latter category.
The Lions scored twice in the nine-minute span of the final 14 minutes to force the 2-2 tie in the 2016 Wilmington Kiwanis Classic on Townsend Field in Williams Stadium.
"We had the game in a good situation," said Wilmington head coach Bud Lewis. "This can be a cruel game sometimes because one interpretation of a play can change the game dramatically.
"The 2-nil lead is what the call a dangerous lead because one a team gets the first goal, they usually get a second and sometimes a third," Lewis added.
With the Fightin' Quakers holding a 2-0 lead, MSJ benefited from a foul called on the outer edges of the box, and the Lions were able to cut the lead in half with a success penalty kick. The equalizing goal came as play wasn't stopped for an injured player, and MSJ benefitted of the numbers advantage.
Wilmington took an early lead as junior Wes King (Zanesville, OH/West Muskingum) and freshman Noah Wallis (Clarksville, OH/Landmark Christian) combined on a beautiful goal.
King, who inserted into the game five minutes prior, raced from the back down the right sideline and centered the ball across the frame and Wallis headed the ball home for the game's first goal.
The Fightin' Quakers took the 2-0 lead by virtue of a free kick that freshman Gabriel Nygard (Karra, Sweden/Sjolins Gymnasium) played to the back post, and it was deposited past the keeper by freshman Tommy Logan (Cincinnati, OH/Northwest).
The match was a rough and tumble affair as 50 fouls and six yellow cards were called over the 110 minutes of action.
"They are very, very physical team; probably the most physical team we will play all year long," said Lewis. "They run through everything, meaning you have a lot of fouls and the chance of very serious injury – which takes away from the game."
Both teams had a chance in the overtime sessions, but none better than MSJ's with less that two minutes remaining.
A failed clear allowed the Lions to have an attempt one on one with senior keeper Nick Baker (Indianapolis, IN/Decatur Central). However, Baker made a tremendous stop, smothering the ball and keeping the game knotted at two.
"Nick had some very important saves today," said Lewis. "In overtime, it's a golden goal, and Nick prevented that by himself. I was disappointed that the opportunity was created because we failed to clear the ball out the back, and the ball rebounded to their player standing alone in front, and Nick just made the play."
Wilmington (1-1-1) returns to action 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the final game of the 2016 Wilmington Kiwanis Classic, hosting Albion. The Britons fell to #16 Ohio Northern, 3-0, in Friday's first game.
Mount St. Joseph and Ohio Northern will kick off action 5 p.m. Saturday.
