Tyler, Texas. – The Central Christian College men's soccer team wrapped up their weekend road trip to Texas with a 2-2 draw with Texas College.
A draw is considerably more desirable than a loss, but in this case, the result felt more like the latter as the Tigers controlled the game from nearly every single aspect. The Tigers out shot Texas College 20 to 5, but all five of TC's goals were on frame while only 7 of the shots the Tigers generated were on goal. Despite controlling the game, the Tigers were unable to capitalize on their opportunities.
Texas College led 1-0 at the end of the first half, thanks to an own goal by the Tigers. Miscommunication on the Tigers' back line, resulted in the unfortunate miscue. Eleven minutes into the second half, the Tigers found the equalizer when Drew Schrader got behind the TC defense and found the back of the net. Ayobami Onifade was credited with the assist. Just over a minute later, the Tigers struck again, this time on a corner kick. Ismael Valverde delivered a ball into the box and Riccardo Di Vincenzo was waiting to convert.
Unfortunately, the Tigers were unable to hold onto the 2-1 advantage, giving up an unassisted goal to Texas College in the 83rd minute of action.
Coach Hoxie summed up the match saying, ""Very tough result to take tonight. Yes, we didn't lose the game, but it feels like we did. We had all the chances, all the possession, and all of the drive, but not the result. That's soccer. Sometimes she is cruel. Real proud of the guys tonight in terms of their effort and play. Many of my teams would have lost this game but these guys showed great spirit to get us back in it. Looks like some miscommunication defensively between Tyler and Sebastian on that own goal. Not quite sure what happened on the second goal, seems like the ball deflected back to the middle off someone. These things happen when you don't take the goals when chances are presented."
The draw leaves the Tigers at 3-0-2 on the season. They have a week to get ready for their next opponent, another road trip, this time against Bacone College, next Saturday in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
