Shots and scoring opportunities were few and far between as Georgia Gwinnett College and University of the Cumberlands (Kentucky) battled to a 1-1 draw in Wednesday evening's NAIA men's soccer top-20 showdown in Williamsburg, Kentucky.
After trailing 1-0 at halftime, GGC senior forward
Emanuele Sordi scored the equalizer in the 77th minute with a left-foot strike from the top of the 18-yard box. It was his team-leading sixth goal of the season.
Cumberlands (3-1-3) took a 1-0 lead with eight seconds remaining in the first half on a goal by Mario Fernandez.
The No. 12-ranked Grizzlies (4-1-3) and No. 19 Cumberlands each recorded eight shots, with six of GGC's shots coming in the second half as the visitors pressed to score the match-tying goal. Both teams also had three shots on goal.
Sordi had a match-high three shots while freshman
Joshua Orue took two shots in the early moments of the second half.
GGC is unbeaten in its last four matches, outscoring the opposition by a 20-2 margin.
"The match was a tale of two halves. We applied more pressure in the second half and were able to maintain possession. I'm pleased with our response in the second half. This match tested who we are as a team. It's disappointing not to get the win, but a draw on the road against a ranked team is a good result," said Head Coach
Steve DeCou.
The Grizzlies applied more offensive pressure in the second half seeking the match-tying goal. GGC finally converted a scoring chance in the 77th minute when senior
Emanuele Sordi took control of a crossing pass against a Cumberlands defender. The forward proceeded to drill a shot into the back of the net from the top of the 18-yard box soon.
45' – Mario Fernandez, UC (Jesus Macaya, Shuma Sasaki)
77' –
Emanuele Sordi, GGC (unassisted)
- Both teams attempted eight shots and had three shots on goal
- The Patriots recorded five corner kicks compared to GGC's three corner kicks across the 90 minutes of action
- Senior Emanuele Sordi scored his team-leading sixth goal of the season
- Freshman Joshua Orue had two shots during the second half
- GGC is 4-1-3 in 2023; Cumberlands stands 3-1-3 this fall
- The Grizzlies were ranked No. 12 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll, announced on Wednesday, September 20; Cumberlands stood No. 19 in the same poll
- Georgia Gwinnett College now leads the series with one win and two draws against the Patriots
- GGC is unbeaten over its last four matches
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Reinhardt University (Georgia) on Saturday, September 23, at the Grizzly Soccer Complex, starting at 7 p.m.
