ROUND ROCK, Texas — In their first match of the 2021 season, the Carthage men's soccer team tied Concordia University Texas 2-2 on Wednesday at the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex.
The Firebirds (0-0-1) struck early in the seventh minute, as Mason McCaw sent a through ball ahead to Mickey Reilly, who dodged the Tornados' (0-0-1) keeper before rifling a shot into the back of the net. Moments later, the home team took advantage of a free kick in Carthage territory, evening the score at one on a header.
As time wound down and approached the half, Omar Cordova gathered the ball at the top corner of the box and sent a shot into the opposite corner of the goal, sneaking it by the keeper's outstretched hands to give the Firebirds a 2-1 lead at the midway break.
After back-and-forth runs to start the second period, the home team drew a penalty in the box with just over 16 minutes left in regulation, converting the ensuing penalty kick to make it a 2-2 match. Neither team was able to break the stalemate before the 90-minute horn, sending each team into overtime where the two remained even through the two 10-minute extra periods.
Carthage returns home this weekend to host the Battle on the Border, taking on Hardin-Simmons University on Saturday, September 4 at noon and St. Norbert College on Sunday at 1 p.m.
"I've been coaching for 30 years, and have never been a part of a match like that. Our Fall preseason trips are always a tremendous time to bond, develop team shape, and play the best teams in America, and today was an epic battle. We knew we would have our hands full with some key players not available on injuries, and a couple players needing to stay back for orientations, but we really didn't factor the extreme heat and forgot how young we are."
"Concordia Texas is a wonderful team, they had a great season last year, and are slated to win their league this year, so the result wasn't all that bad, considering. We had many chances to put them away when we had control of the match for several long stretches. They made the best of a PK and some great across-the-grain counters."
Quick Facts
- After leading the Firebirds with five goals in four matches played last spring, Mickey Reilly picked up right where he left off and scored the first goal of the new season.
- Sophomore defender Omar Cordova came up to score his first career goal at Carthage in the closing seconds of the first half.
- The last time Carthage men's soccer began their season with a tie was in 2015, when the team went on to win the CCIW Tournament crown and reach the second round of the NCAA Championship.
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