DANVILLE, Va. – Averett University men's soccer and visitors Randolph College duked it out for a five-goal conference match on Saturday to kick off Homecoming, but the visiting WildCats ended up on the winning side, defeating the Cougars 3-2.
Averett (4-5-4, 2-3-1 ODAC) nearly clawed its way back in, as
Daniel Sierra sent a half-volley that boomed in to the top right corner in the 70th minute to cut the Cougars' deficit to a single score.
With 19 seconds left on the game clock, the home side nearly had the equalizer, but Randolph's (4-8-3, 2-4-0 ODAC) defenders cleared the threat from the box, denying the last chance by inches, and sealed the contest with a 3-2 final score in the away teams' favor.
Averett kicked off Homecoming festivities by favor of
Fernando Pintos, as his left-footed free kick nearly resembled his score versus Bridgewater the week prior; the cross sailed past every defender, and into the back of the net untouched for the 1-0 lead in the 13th minute.
The WildCats broke through on Averett's defensive end in the 21st minute, as Marcus Cortes found his footing in the penalty box, and past the keeper to bring the score to 1-1. Just four minutes after the equalizer, Nick Conboy elevated Randolph into the lead, and the 2-1 score would hold until intermission.
In the 69th minute, the WildCats nearly put the game away with Lance Yeboah's left-footed strike from long range that went off the post.
Averett outshot Randolph 17-9, and both sides tied in shots on goal with five each. Pintos and Sierra tied for the team lead in shots with two.
Anibal Lopez recorded a pair of saves.
The Cougars play their last home contest of the season on Wednesday, Oct. 22, hosting Washington and Lee for a 6 p.m. kickoff.
