Men’s Soccer Battles Unbeaten Newbury to 4-4 Draw

QUINCY, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College men's soccer team played Newbury to a 4-4 tie in a back-and-forth affair Saturday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The Lions progress to 2-2-1 on the fall while the Nighthawks move to 4-0-1 overall with the outcome.

The home side got on the board in the 31st minute to seize a 1-0 lead. Seth Weaver (Dillsburg, Pa.) netted his second goal of the season, finishing off a breakaway chance with his right foot. Andrew Nelson (Burtonsville, Md.) and Sunil Lepcha (Charlotte, N.C.) both picked up assists on the play.

The guests leveled the match at 1-1 in the final minute of the first frame. Gabe Agbim converted a penalty kick for his first tally of the year.

The two teams headed into the halftime intermission locked at 1-1.

Eastern Nazarene fired six shots in the opening 45 minutes of play while Newbury attempted 10.

The Lions reclaimed a one-goal lead in the 53rd minute, 2-1. Ian Carson (San Antonio, Texas) knocked in his second score of the fall and Joao Costa (Framingham, Mass.) provided the assist with a free kick delivery.

The Nighthawks pulled even again with another penalty kick goal, fired home by Nilson De Andrade for his team-leading fifth of the season.

Newbury grabbed its first lead of the afternoon on Agbim's second tally of the game in the 57th minute, 3-2.

Eastern Nazarene responded with an equalizer in the 60th minute, 3-3. Weaver collected his second goal of the contest and third of the year as he buried a loose ball inside the box after Nelson spun a pass to the center of the area.

The Lions benefitted from an own goal by the guests to jump ahead 4-3 in the 85th minute.

The Nighthawks tied up the score at 4-4 in the 89th minute as De Andrade headed in his second tally of the match.

The home team fired a pair of shots in the two overtime periods and the visitors recorded six tries.

Eastern Nazarene finished with 19 shots on the day while Newbury attempted 27 in the contest.

In his first collegiate start in net, Victor Mendoza (Cathedral, Calif.) registered eight saves for the Lions.

"We came out today and fought hard against a good team. Pete did well in the back to keep us organized and Ian and Seth were outstanding today with great goals," said head coach Mark Bell. 

Up next, Eastern Nazarene visits Green Mountain College for a road clash September 14.