The Waynesburg University men’s soccer team scored two goals in the final five minutes of regulation to salvage a 2-2 draw with Westminster. Neither team could score score in the two 10 minute overtime frames, so the score remained 2-2 and went down as Waynesburg’s third tie of the season.
“It was a great team result,” senior Nate Kumer said, “we all played hard. Everyone is battered and bruised after the game. So, it was a great team effort and a good result for us.”
The Yellow Jackets and Titans were deadlocked with each other in the first half. That deadlock, however, ended quickly in the second half. Westminster’s Peter Mattocks scored in the 50th minute from 25 yards. Then about five minutes later Mattocks assisted Nick Iregui for a goal making it 2-0.
, I think it was a pretty even first half,” Waynesburg head coach Brad Heethuis said. “We both had chances and then the second half we got a little lax and gave them two [goals], but we got fought back.”
Even though Waynesburg trailed 2-0, they still had some life in them.
“We switched formations in the last 15 to 20 minutes a little bit and we were just able to control and we needed some guys to finish on the back end,” Heethuis said. “We put the ball into the box time after time and you know Nate [Biondi} finished the first one and then just making things happen and got the PK on the second. I am really happy with that.”
Right at the 85-minute mark, senior Nate Biondi found the ball at the back post and just barely got the ball across the goal line making it 2-1.
“I can’t even remember how the first one happened,” Heethuis said. “But [the] ball comes across and Biondi kind of is just there. We always talk about guys being on the back post and he was there and made it happen and got a goal.”
In the 89th minute Waynesburg found themselves with an opportunity to tie the game on a penalty kick by Kumer.
“I was just trying to keep my nerves [down], I have taken 100 PK’s before, so I wasn’t really too nervous and I just had to watch the goalie and pick my side,” Kumer said.
The keeper dove to his left as Kumer put the ball to the opposite side, tying the game at two.
“I am proud of the boys being able to come back and get two [goals] in the last five minutes and tie things up. I was really happy and proud of the heart and fight these guys showed,” Heethuis said.
Waynesburg is now 3-8-3 [0-2-3] with only three games left in the season. Heethuis knows that qualifying for the PAC postseason is an uphill climb.
“Looking at standings we have to win out, but with that being said we have to take care of business one game at a time,” Heethuis said. “So, we are going to take the day off [Sunday] rest and recuperate a little bit and then get ready on Monday and Tuesday for Saint Vincent on Wednesday. So, that’s all we look forward to now.”