The Heidelberg University men’s soccer team had the opportunity to play under the lights at Mayer Field on Tuesday, October 2. The match was intense from the very first minute when a Heidelberg freshman netted the first goal of the contest. Even though the Berg scored two first half goals, they could not hold off the Quakers offensive prowess. The Berg played to a double overtime draw, 2-2.
It was the foot of freshman Ryan Homoki (Grafton/Midview) that found the back of the net in the first minute, giving the Berg an immediate 1-0 lead. The goal marks Homoki's first colegiate goal.
Heidelberg jumped out to a 2-0 lead, when senior Ryan Smith (Roanoke, TX./Keller) netted another goal in the 14th minute. Sophomore Nico Samaniego (Huron) served up the assist that led to Smith’s team-high, seventh goal of the season.
The Heidelberg underclassmen continued to play impressively. Sophomore Tyler Eoff (Oak Harbor) paced the Student Princes offensively against the Quakers, with four shots.
Freshman Christopher Kozcak (Springboro) added to his season total of 18 shots with three against Wilmington.
Freshman Andy Lacefield (North Lima/South Range) and sophomore Hamid Shariff (Columbus/Centennial) added one shot each to the Berg’s offensive attack.
Sophomore goalkeeper Matthew Stevens (South Lyon, MI.) tallied sevens saves against the Quakers. In his first year in goal for the Berg, Stevens has amassed 48 stops.
Down 2-0, Wilmington cut the lead in half in the 27th minute.
Despite an impressive display in goal from Stevens, the Quakers found the equalizer in the 67th minute.
Opportunities were to be had on both sides, but neither the Berg nor the Quakers could find that elusive game-winning goal in overtime.
The Heidelberg men’s soccer returns to action on Saturday, October 6, when they battle Capital University. The men’s match against the Crusaders is slated for 4:00 pm for Hidden Valley Soccer Complex.