The opening match of the Georgia Gwinnett College men's soccer team's Florida trip on Thursday had just about everything: a 75-minute lightning delay at the start, a quick goal, a red card situation, and the match being halted after 74 minutes due to a power outage on the Southeastern University (Florida) campus in Lakeland, Florida.

After all that, the No. 12-ranked Grizzlies had to settle for a 1-1 draw after the Fire scored in the 72nd minute.

GGC (2-1-2) played the final 32 minutes down one player on the field after a red card was issued following a tackle in the closing moments of the first half.

The visitors got off to a fast start on a goal by senior Antoine Ferez in the sixth minute following a corner kick. Senior Diego Milessi crossed the ball to Ferez, who placed a shot inside the far post for his first tally of the season.

Senior Emanuele Sordi struck the crossbar with a shot in the 24th minute.

Southeastern (2-0-1) outshot the Grizzlies by a 6-5 margin in the first half and then proceeded to add six more shots with the player advantage during the second half.

Ferez and Sordi led GGC's five-shot attack, with each registering two shots on Thursday.

Sophomore goalkeeper Andreas von Muecke made five saves for the Grizzlies.
  "It was great work by the guys after battling the weather delay and being a man down for the second half. Southeastern is a good team. We're getting better every game and I'm pleased with how we're progressing. Our goal came off a corner, which has been a point of emphasis in practice," said Head Coach Steve DeCou.
  The Grizzlies have shown an ability of scoring goals in the first 10 minutes of a match this season. That trend continued Thursday when senior Antoine Ferez found the back of the net following a crossing pass by classmate Diego Milessi from a corner kick in the sixth minute. GGC has scored in the early moments in four of the team's five matches.
  6' – Antoine Ferez, GGC (Diego Milessi)
72' – Victor Calvalcante, SEU (Roque Viegas Jr.)
 

• Southeastern outshot the Grizzlies by a 13-5 margin, but GGC was forced to play the final 32 minutes with only 10 players on the pitch
• GGC registered five corner kicks compared to two corner kicks for the Fire
• Senior Antoine Ferez scored his first goal of the season; the Grizzlies have found the back of the net in the opening 10 minutes in four of the five matches this season
• Sophomore goalkeeper Andreas von Muecke made five saves in the match

• GGC is 2-1-2 on the season; Southeastern stands 2-0-1 this fall
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 12 in the first regular season NAIA Top 25 poll; Southeastern received votes in the same poll
• GGC leads the all-time series with a 4-0-1 record
• Georgia Gwinnett College is 1-0-2 away from Lawrenceville this season

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to face Webber International University on Saturday, September 9, in Babson Park, Florida, starting at 11 a.m.