Article by Tomi Simmons
Photo by Micah Gilbert
Kansas City, Mo. - On Saturday, the McPherson College men's soccer team battled and beat the Avila Eagles 4-3.
Both teams came in with high intensity and were competitive throughout play. In the 13th minute, the Eagles knocked in the first goal.
Guido Battistini (Sr. Pilar Argentina) responded in the 17th minute by tying the game up;
Giovanni Chavarri assisted him. The Bulldogs got the second goal in the 23rd minute,
Carlos Reyna (Jr. Hutchinson, Ks.) received the ball from Marcus Fernandez in the middle for a quality finish, putting the Bulldogs up 2-1.
Due to defensive errors by the Bulldogs, the Eagles got a goal in the 59th minute, tying the game up.
Head coach
Doug Quint said, "It is certainly unacceptable the way we played defensively today."
In the 61st minute,
Giovanni Chavarri (So. Royse, Tx.) passed it to
Carlos Reyna, and Reyna chipped the keeper for his second goal of the game, putting the Bulldogs back in front. Quickly after in the 64th minute, the Eagles scored tying the game up 3-3.
The Bulldogs attempted to make offensive plays throughout the last quarter of the game. Finally, in the 86th minute,
Austin Cuevas (Fr. Mesquite Tx.) crossed it into Marcus Fernandez (Jr. Rio, Brazil), where he fumbled through defenders to finish the goal. The Bulldogs ended the game 4-3.
"We were lucky offensively. We had a lot of good moments because we needed them to squeak out that victory,"
Doug Quint said.
Next up, the Bulldogs will play away on Tuesday at Oklahoma Wesleyan. The men will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. following the women's game at 5.
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