Men's Soccer's Comeback Falls Short as Tigers Score Late Game-Winning Goal

SALEM, W.Va. – The Frostburg State Men's Soccer team looked to comeback in the final minutes of their match against Salem on Wednesday afternoon but fell just short in a 3-2 score. 
 
Salem kicked off to start the game, running down field a little too early and getting called offside in the first four minutes of play.  On the next possession, Frostburg saw their first strike at goal, as senior Abdur-Rahman Neama fired one low center, but was denied by SU's keeper.  A few minutes later, the Bobcat's set up for a corner kick, but pushed possession out of bounds.  Both teams battled back and forth as the Tigers looked for an early lead, jumping a little too soon, again getting called offside.  With around 15 minutes gone in the first, FSU took over the ball around midfield, with freshman Andrew Denard taking advantage of open space and feeding junior Carlos Quintero Rivas up in front, with the latter tapping it in right before the goalie could reach it, helping put Frostburg up 1-0. 
 
Trying to respond, SU quickly found an opportunity at goal, putting the equalizer just high on the very next play.  Dominating possession, the Tigers sent in another shot, this time finding the high left corner of the goal to tie the score up 1-1.  Senior Zach Harpel tried an attempt right off the restart but was also denied by Salem's goalie.  After some commotion, a foul was called in the box on FSU's keeper senior Brennan Moore, setting up Salem with a penalty kick.  SU was able to slot it home, putting them in the lead 2-1 with around 23 minutes left in the half. 
 
Both teams continued to play back and forth with the Tigers continuing to stay in front, slicing in a shot from the outside that was sent high left.  Around the 30-minute mark, the Bobcats earned a corner kick, looking to tie the game, but were unable to get a try at goal out of it.  For the next span of minutes, SU kept possession, seeing a shot that was saved by Moore, along with three corner kicks.  FSU then pushed up field, setting up for three corner kicks as well, unable to connect with a shot.  With 10 minutes left until the break, Salem fired away one more shot but missed, as each team swapped a corner kick once again to end the half with the Tigers on top 2-1. 
 
Both teams battled for the ball to open play in the second half, until freshman Mason Salvadge struck the first shot of the second, aiming for the bottom left corner but was shutout by the keeper.  Over 10 minutes later, after slow play from both teams, the Bobcats earned a corner kick, with senior Caleb Dell finding the ball out of the crowd and sending a shot in on target, but the Tigers were able to make a save.  Salem again was called for offside, looking to double their lead, until SU timed their run correctly and looked for a shot, but sent it out left.  Each team fired a shot as Moore was credited with a save and junior Gabe Jones ripped his first attempt of the game but sent it high over the goal.  After FSU took one more chance at goal that was off target, the Bobcats got a break on a free kick.  Senior Laki Psallidas lined up to send the ball into the box from just in front of midfield.  Dell made a run in from the left, diving to connect with a header that sent the ball into the back right side of the net to tie the game at 2-2 with under 10 minutes left in regulation. 
 
With now each team looking for the go-ahead goal, each team was called offside.  Junior Sebastian Vargas put one at goal, and Frostburg received a corner kick, but the Bobcats were unable to see a shot on target.  As time ran out, Salem looked for one more shot to end the game.  The Tigers put together a solid run down field, as quick passing led to a shot in the middle of the box, where SU was able to slot it home for a 3-2 advantage with under five minutes left to play.  Frostburg was unable to respond with any offense, as time ticked down in Salem's favor, allowing them to take the match 3-2. 
 
Both teams were evenly matched in the shot category, with Salem putting up 10 for five being on target, and Frostburg seeing nine with six being on target.  FSU held the advantage in corner kicks 8-4, while Moore made two saves in goal. 
 
With the loss, Frostburg drops to 6-5-1 on the season, while Salem goes to 3-9-1.  The Bobcats return home to welcome in West Liberty on Saturday, October 19 for their Homecoming Game at 7:30 PM.  For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.