Eagles Fall in Clash of Top AAC Squads
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 4 | 4 |
|
|
1 | 2 | 3 |
Team Stats
CIU
| Game Statistics | CIU | Reinhardt |
|---|---|---|
| Shots (on goal) | 8 (5) | 14 (5) |
| Saves | 2 | 1 |
| Fouls | 6 | 9 |
| Corner Kicks | 5 | 4 |
| Offsides | 0 | 3 |
By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media
Photo Courtesy of Greg Spell/G-RoxPhotos.com
WALESKA, Ga. – A battle of two programs at the top of the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) standings turned into a shootout after Columbia International (S.C.) was able to overcome a 2-0 deficit early in the second half and score four goals over the final 35-plus minutes to upset No. 19 Reinhardt, 4-3, Wednesday night in Waleska.
The Rams handed the Eagles their first blemish of 2021, as the hometown squad now looks to bounce back after falling to 10-1 (7-1 AAC).
"Sometimes you win and sometimes you learn," head coach Joey Johnson said. "Losing a match presents an opportunity to learn tough lessons that can serve to facilitate improvement moving forward if our response is correct.
Our team will be back to work tomorrow."
The duo of Min Lee and Pavel Dashin accounted for the lone offensive highlights in the opening 50 minutes of action, as Lee found Dashin at the 7:23 mark for the opening score, and then once again in the 50th minute to double the Reinhardt advantage, 2-0.
In the span of nearly eight minutes, however, the scoreboard was all locked up a 2-2 after Columbia International found success with the ball. The momentum continued for the Rams as they went on a 4-0 scoring spree with additional netted shots at 58:03 and 73:08 to take a commanding hold of the outing.
The Eagles never gave up and continued to fight, scoring once again in the 86th minute (Lukas Gerhardt).
Reinhardt held a 14-8 cushion in shots, but it was the visitors who made the most of their opportunities. The Rams also held a slim margin in corner kicks at 5-4.
The team will look to keep pace near the top of the standings on Sunday morning when it travels to Union (Ky.).
Opening whistle is set for 11:30 a.m.
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