CLEVELAND, Ga. – Truett McConnell men's soccer (5-1-2 overall, 4-0-0 AAC) delivered the No. 19 Union Commonwealth University Bulldogs (7-2-0 overall, 3-1-0 AAC) their first Appalachian Athletic Conference loss of the season after a 3-2 thriller at the TMU Soccer Complex.
Truett McConnell held most of the momentum offensively through the first half hour, but it was the Bulldogs who broke open scoring in the 30
th minute as Donte Campbell netted his first goal of the season off a header assist from Ron-Jay Watson across the six-yard box that was initially created from a second-chance cross. The score remained at 1-0 at the half.
The Bears wasted little time after intermission in responding to the Bulldogs' first half efforts.
Hudson Reynolds buried a header off a ball that was delivered perfectly by
Hector Herraiz to even the score just four minutes and 14 seconds after the break.
The Bulldogs reclaimed the lead six minutes later as Jacob Knight sent a throw in directly to the top of the six-yard box that was finished by Diego Yanes Garcia.
The contest was deadlocked again in the 71
st minute after
Jovica Lazarevic's bicycle kick attempt came within inches of scoring, bounced off the left woodwork and fell to the right foot of
Roman Reynolds who ripped the ball into the net.
Heroics came with just six minutes left to play, as
Pablo Farrona's aerial pass across the penalty area was mishandled by the Bulldogs' defense and
Nick Jeising slotted it through for the game winner and his first goal of the season.
When asked about the moment that toppled the NAIA top-20 Bulldogs, Jeising said, "scoring the deciding goal is great, but [the result] is just as good."
Men's soccer's next fixture is set for Wednesday, Sept. 30 at Bryan College at 7:30 p.m., with their next home contest slated for Oct. 3 against Milligan University as they look to continue their strong momentum and winning streak.
