Banner Elk, NC-- The Lees-McRae College Bobcats soccer team
hosted #22 University of North Carolina-Pembroke Braves Sunday
afternoon at Tate Field. Two ten minute overtimes could not find a
winner as the teams battled to a 1-1 draw.
After putting up four goals in a season opening win over
Francis Marion Friday, the Bobcats looked to continue that momentum
against the nationally ranked Braves. Kyle McGimsey got the
Bobcats on the board early with a bullet from 15 yards out. During
the eighth minute, with the ball in the corner of the field,
sophomore Berin Boracic beat his defender one on one to find his
classmate open inside the 18 yard box. McGimsey made no mistake
and rifled a shot past Braves keeper Rich Sallin to give the home
side an early 1-0 lead. The Braves however would not lie down and
continued to pressure the Bobcats defense. Sophomore goalkeeper
Dylan Lawrence was equal to the task and held the Braves scoreless
in the first as the Bobcats took their 1-0 lead into the locker
room at the half.
Both teams would come out strong in the second half, and
Lawrence continued to keep the Braves scoreless until the 70th
minute. The Braves' Miguel Ferrer would score on a penalty kick to
even the score at one.
In overtime, each team had quality scoring chances; however
both goalkeepers would make game saving stops on multiple
occasions. Both Lawrence and Sallin finished the game with 10
saves.
"A tie is much better than a loss of course. I am pleased
with how the boys worked hard throughout the game. We would have
liked the win, but we're happy to gain a tie against a strong
regional opponent," commented Bobcats Head Coach Chris
Whalley.
The Bobcats (1-0-1) will travel to #8 Clayton State
University on September 1 for a 7:30p.m. kick off.
