Cobras and Crusaders Play to 1-1 2OT Draw in Season Opener

BELMONT, N.C. – 110 minutes was not enough time to decide a winner as the Coker College men's soccer team played to a 1-1 double-overtime draw on Saturday (Sept. 3) evening in its season opener against Belmont Abbey College. 

After Belmont Abbey struck first in the 21^st minute to give the Crusaders a 1-0 advantage, Coker's Chris Bordelon was tackled in the box, giving the Cobras a chance to tie it up with a penalty kick in the 34^th minute. It would be junior Alvaro Urena taking and burying the shot in the back of the net to tie the match up at 1-1. Nothing would change in the closing minutes of the first half and the teams would head to the locker rooms tied at 1-1.

The two sides remained evenly matched throughout the second half, with neither side gaining the advantage in the latter 45 minutes.

Both overtime periods would be much of the same, with Belmont Abbey taking two shots in the opening overtime period and Coker collecting two shots in the second overtime. However, neither side connected on an opportunity, resulting in the 1-1 double-overtime draw.

Urena led the way with his lone goal off the penalty kick, while Mads Aagurd, Redd Pratley and Joby Griggs all collected shots on goal. In all, the Cobras blasted 13 total shots, four of which were on goal.

Michael Ritterbeck notched five saves between the pipes, one of which came at the end of regulation forcing the first overtime period.

The Navy and Gold will be back in action on Wednesday (Sept. 7) to take on the visiting Chowan University Hawks in a non-conference matchup. The home opener is set for a 5 p.m. start at the Coker College Athletic Field.