AMERICUS, Ga. – Senior
Theo Hoang converted a penalty kick in the 87th minute Wednesday night to lift Georgia Southwestern State University to a 1-1 draw with Middle Georgia State University in Peach Belt Conference action at Hurricane Field.
The Hurricanes (2-4-1, 0-2-1 PBC) trailed for nearly 46 minutes after Middle Georgia (2-4-1, 0-1-1 PBC) took the lead late in the opening half, but Hoang's sixth goal of the season pulled GSW even at the 86:07 mark.
Prior to kickoff, GSW recognized seven seniors as part of its Senior Night celebration:
Taylor Vorbrich,
Will Eydam,
Jose Monteagudo, Hoang,
Sam Bruns,
Bryan Garcia and
Dante Johnson.
Middle Georgia applied pressure early, but GSW goalkeeper
Nathan Grady turned away shots from Scott Osbourne and Javier Gongora Andres during the opening five minutes.
The Hurricanes nearly struck first in the 20th minute when Eydam's attempt hit the crossbar.
Juan Franco added another chance in the 28th minute, but the match remained scoreless.
Middle Georgia broke through at 40:09. Sean McCrudden set up Roland Scott for the opening goal, sending the Knights into halftime with a 1-0 advantage.
Grady helped keep the deficit at one early in the second half, making saves on Aiden Giacomelli and Zachary Whipple within the opening five minutes.
GSW began to find opportunities of its own as the half progressed. Monteagudo put an attempt on frame in the 57th minute, forcing a save from Middle Georgia goalkeeper Philip Haenel, and added another shot in the 69th.
The Knights threatened to extend their advantage in the 73rd and 75th minutes, but Grady denied Giacomelli and Alfie Irving to keep the Hurricanes within striking distance.
That proved important in the closing minutes.
GSW earned a penalty kick with less than four minutes remaining, and Hoang stepped to the spot and converted at 86:07 to pull the Hurricanes level at 1-1. The senior's sixth goal of the season moved him into second place in the Peach Belt Conference in goals scored.
GSW continued to push after the equalizer, with
Josh Pursley sending an attempt high less than a minute later, but neither side found a winner before the final whistle.
Grady finished with a season-high seven saves while playing all 90 minutes in goal. Middle Georgia held a 12-8 advantage in shots and an 8-2 edge in shots on goal, while the Knights earned all six corner kicks in the match.
Monteagudo led GSW with three shots, including one on goal, while Hoang accounted for the Hurricanes' other shot on frame with his penalty kick.
Wednesday's result left the all-time series tied at 6-6-1 and snapped GSW's six-match winning streak against Middle Georgia State.
Next Up
- The Hurricanes have the weekend off before resuming Peach Belt Conference play Wednesday when they travel to the University of North Georgia for a 7 p.m. match.
