Yellow Jackets Battle to Draw

The battle against visiting Lock Haven University Saturday night ended in a draw. The Cedarville men’s soccer team was on the offensive side for most of the 110 minutes played, but couldn’t manage to put one in the net.

Lock Haven played with a defensive game plan, often keeping nine men in the box. The Yellow Jackets outshot the Eagles 16-7 in regulation, not allowing an Eagles shot on goal. Cedarville narrowly missed several chances to score, most of their attempts sailing high over the top post. Lock Haven came out aggressive in the first overtime period, the only time during the game they consistently held the ball in Cedarville’s half of the field. They were unable to score, however.

The second overtime period was evenly fought, with both teams having chances to score. Cedarville forward Connor Gilmour had Cedarville’s closest chance when he poked the ball around the keeper toward the goal, but a Lock Haven defender kicked the ball away inches before it crossed the goal line.

Lock Haven had a shot bounce off the top post before it was cleared by Cedarville’s defense.
The shutout is Cedarville’s second of the season. Last season, they set a school record with 12 shutouts. Cedarville has been riding their stingy defense so far this season, a unit that’s allowed only two goals in four games. Last year’s squad surrendered 13 goals in 20 games, also a team record.

Cedarville (2-1-1) has two home games this week. They open GMAC play as the second match of doubleheaders against Trevecca Nazarene on Thursday and Kentucky Wesleyan on Saturday. The women will kick off at 4:30 with the men to follow at 7:00 for those matches. The women also host Ashland this week, a 7:00 kickoff on Tuesday.

Tyler Greenwood is a sophomore mechanical engineering major and a sports reporter for Cedars.