ATLANTA, Ga. - The No. 25 Lindsey Wilson men's soccer team drew 3-3 versus Rio Grande Saturday night in their first game of the NAIA Atlanta Classic at the MOBA Soccer Complex.
The Blue Raiders (0-1-2) demonstrated great offensive prowess and scored three great goals. Dominic Ayella, Kenn Muendo, and Mao Wong were the goalscorers. Jaland Larmond delivered two assists. All the conceded goals came from set pieces, highlighting the need for the team to improve their defensive organization and game management.
It was a slow start from both teams as the first shot of the game came in the 8th minute. Ayella broke the deadlock in the 20th minute with a great assist from Larmond who got past his marker running down the wing. He would repeat the same formula a few minutes later, but this time with a back pass to the edge of the box. The ball would find Muendo who slotted it past the keeper with ease.
The Blue Raiders were leading 2-0 comfortably until the 30th minute when a corner from the Red Storm landed near the edge of the box and Justin Jimenez scored a longshot. Lindsey Wilson would go into halftime leading the match, but that lead did not last long. Rio Grande's Rafael Kawata scored from a freekick two minutes into the second half. It looked like it was intended as a cross, but ended in the back of the net with Blue Raider goalkeeper Hugo Georges unable to save it.
Lindsey Wilson regained the lead a minute later. A corner kick by Michael Rempel found Wong's head who buried it past the keeper. In the 64th minute Rio Grande would score their third set piece goal of the night thanks to a cross from Scott Gray and the finish by Daniel Christofi.
The Blue Raiders are back in action at 12 p.m. CT. Monday, Sep. 2 when they take on No. T2 ranked St. Thomas (Fla.) in their final match of the NAIA Atlanta Classic.
