Box Score For immediate release – 9/19/2015 - #039
WildCats Tie Lynchburg 2-2 in Derby
LYNCHBURG, VA – The much anticipated Lynchburg Derby took place on Saturday night, and the Randolph College men's soccer team tied Lynchburg College 2-2. It was the first Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) contest for both teams this year.
The game between the two rivals was tightly contested throughout. The teams went back and forth early on with several fouls being called on both teams, in what would be the start of a very physical affair. Then, at 11:05, Matt Truslow sent in a corner that found the head of Fredy Flores to give LC the 1-0 lead. Lynchburg gained the next two chances, but the WildCat backline kept them out of the goal.
Randolph brought in two substitutions shortly after, and the move paid immediate dividends. Nick Rodriguez sent a cross into the middle and substitute Travis Brown scored with an acrobatic finish. After the goal, the momentum shifted in the WildCats' favor and Randolph had several more good looks on goal, but the score remained tied 1-1 at the half.
Coming out of the intermission, both teams had opportunities to score, but struggled to get through the opposing defenses. In the 61st minute, Jon Mackey broke the stalemate off a pass from Flores to give the Hornets a 2-1 lead. The game continued to showcase two stout defensive minded teams in the middle, but the WildCats would not be denied.
In the 82nd minute, the 'Cats found their equalizer. Troy Jurney, streaking up the left side, sent a cross into the center of the box. Sam Griffith found the ball with his head and sent it into the right side, where the Hornets keeper got his hands on it, but could not keep it out.
The game went into overtime, and the physicality was turned up. Lynchburg had several chances but Randolph goalkeeper Matt Tourbin stopped two shots and corralled the corner kick sent his way, and Blake Heatherly stepped in front of a shot to help conserve the tie.
The physicality of the game was shown in the amount of fouls and cautions. There was a total of 24 fouls between the two teams. Nine cautions were issued, including two red cards shown towards LC.
Corey Budka made three saves for the Hornets (4-1-1 overall, 0-0-1 ODAC). Tourbin added three as well in the tie.
Randolph (2-3-1, 0-0-1) returns home after two weeks on the road. The WildCats take on fellow ODAC foe Hampden-Sydney College on Wednesday at WildCat Stadium, with the first whistle set for 7 p.m.
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