CLEVELAND, Ga. – Truett McConnell men's soccer's (0-0-1) season opener had no shortage of goals as they ended square with the Point University Skyhawks (0-0-1) 3-3 at the TMU Soccer Complex.
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Scoring opened in the 13
th minute appropriately by last season's leading goal scorer, senior
Jovica Lazarevic, as he found the back of the net off an assist from fellow senior
Roman Reynolds.
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Lazarevic, the Serbian native, had no intention of stopping there, as he followed up his first efforts with an unassisted goal in the 15
th minute, capitalizing off an errant touch by a defender. The senior completed his scoring efforts by securing a hat trick in the 27
th minute via penalty kick, choosing the left side of the net to get past Skyhawks keeper Clemens Budde.
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Point saw momentum shift in their favor late in the first half, after a penalty kick was awarded in the 42
nd minute and converted by Tomas Calado.
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The Skyhawks were able to bring the contest back within striking distance before the end of the first half thanks to a free kick goal by their leading scorer last season, Moritz Dalpiaz, as he found the top left corner from distance.
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Griffin Montroy's goal 12 minutes into the second half lifted Point back to even against the hosts, a goal that proved to be the decider as the contest ended at three goals apiece.
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When asked about the team's efforts, hat trick achiever
Jovica Lazarevic said "I think this is a great group of guys. I know that coach [Scott] Borchers and his team will do everything to prepare us for the next game. Today was a good shift, we need to watch the film and rest because the next game is big because it's the next one."
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The Bears are slated for a four-game road trip that will span over the next 21 days before opening home conference play on September 16
th against Columbia College.
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