Two Late Goals Let Win Fade Away for Eagles

Waleska, GA- It was a heartbreaking loss for the Eagles Saturday versus the visiting Union College Bulldogs. The Eagles led the majority of the way in the game, but two late goals by Union tied and eventually took the lead in the last moments of the game.

First Half

The Eagles were able to get both of their goals in the game in the first half. The first goal would come in the twelfth minute when Andres Jorquera found Rafael Pais to put the ball in the back of the net. The Eagles looked like they would be able to get several goals in the game with combination plays like this, however, the game was very physical and shots on goal were hard to come by. The referee let the guys play and things did get a little heated at times. Union would actually pick up four yellow cards in the game for their actions.

The next goal for the Eagles would come much later in the first half when Paul Nitsch would put Reinhardt back into the lead. Union scored around the twenty-fourth minute to temporarily tie the game. The Eagles would enjoy the narrow 2-1 lead going into the half.

Second Half

From this point on, the defensive intensity picked up and it was two equal and talented teams battling it out on the pitch. Union players would often go to the ground in attempts to slide tackle Reinhardt ball carriers with several coming close to fouls. The referee was blowing the whistle often in the second half trying to keep the game in control.

The game would go more than thirty minutes before another score happened. Reinhardt's best chance came from a transition play where Blake White broke away from his defensive end and cruised up the left side of the field next to the home side bleachers. The Eagles were out on a two-on-one breakaway and it appeared that the Eagles would pick up the much-needed third goal. White's pass out to the right was a perfect strike hitting a full-on sprint by forward, Andres Jorquera. Jorquera would have definitely scored the goal, but a heavy touch put it just out of his reach into the keeper who rushed out to the edge of his box to stop the scoring opportunity.

This missed opportunity seemed to put the wind back into the sail of the Bulldogs.  For the final fifteen minutes of the game, Union was pressing hard to get the game tied. On a play that seemed to be close to an offside call, a Union forward was able to get on the backside of the Eagles' backline. The assistant referee's flag stayed down and the Bulldog had a one-on-one opportunity on the Eagles goalkeeper, Niko Tzevelekos. Tzevelelkos pushed out of his goal and made himself as wide as possible, but Union was able to sneak the ball past him. The game was tied at 2-2 with about ten minutes left.

Both teams were pushing for the final go-ahead and goal and this one would go to the attacking Bulldogs. On a "pinball" play in front of the goal a bouncing ball made its way to the head of a waiting Union forward who flipped the ball to the lower right side of the goal. Tzevelekos stretched out to make the play on the ball and he did get his hands on it, however, the spin of the ball took it right over the top of his hands and trickled across the goal for the final score of the game.

The game would end 3-2 to Union and crushing the Eagles' chances of picking up a conference win.

What's Next

Eagles Soccer will be back on the road this Wednesday evening with a matchup with the Roadrunners of Dalton State University. Tune in to www.reinhardteagles.com for more info and game day links.