Lexington, Ky. – The Transylvania men's soccer team had an overtime surge but settled for a 0-0 draw in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference opener against the Anderson University Ravens at Pat Deacon Stadium on Wednesday night.
The draw moves the Pioneers to 2-3-2 on the year and 0-0-1 in HCAC play, while the result brings the Ravens to 3-6-1 on the season and 0-0-1 in conference games.
Anderson controlled the pace in the first half as the visitors generated three shots on goal; Transy keeper Gino Arena stepped up and earned three saves to preserve the clean sheet. The second half was a battle for control of the midfield as neither team created a shot on goal and looked toward overtime to create the winning opportunity.
As overtime began, the Pioneers came storming out of the gate, pushing their numbers forward and opening up threats with crisp passing. Following a pair of blocks on Transy strikes, Drew Harrod fired a 93rd minute shot from close range that sailed high as the momentum swayed in favor of the Pioneers.
Seconds later, Mitchell Crispin was through on goal and fired a shot that forced an impressive save from the Anderson goalkeeper in the last genuine chance in the match as tired legs slowed the game down until the final whistle.
The Pioneers are back in action on Saturday, October 2 as they hit the road to take on the Defiance College Yellow Jackets in another conference fixture. The game is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. at Winsper-Knobel Memorial Field.
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