CINCINNATI, Ohio - On Monday, September 19th your Mount St. Joseph University Lions welcomed the Cougars of UC-Clermont to Schueler Field. The Lions and Cougars already met once this season, The Mount falling 3-1. But, the Lions took a different approach to begin their second game against the Cougars.
Michael Abel got the Lions on the board early in just the 3rd minute of play. The Cougars would score but Abel again would find the net in the 62nd minute of play giving The Mount the lead.
Willis Johnson followed with a goal of his own which proved to be the game-winner. UC-Clermont scored late in the 80th minute but the Lions held on for the victory.
To begin play the Lions came out firing. On the Lions first attack of the game
Willis Johnson would send a shot towards the goal. The Cougars' goalkeeper would make a save but the ball would fall right into the lap of
Michael Abel. Abel would quickly settle and push the ball just past the keeper and into the net. Just 3 minutes into the contest the Lions held a lead. Following the goal the Lions continued to push forward but could not find the net. With just 4 minutes remaining in the half the Lions would surrender a penalty kick from a foul in the box. The Cougars would convert tying the game at 1 heading into halftime.
After the half the Lions continued to push the offensive pace. Sophomore
Jacob Trusty got possession and went storming down the right sideline. From roughly 25 yards out Trusty draws a foul giving the Lions a free kick in dangerous territory. Junior
Joseph Stark stepped to take the kick whipping the ball into the box to find
Michael Abel leaping above a pair of UC-Clermont defenders. Abel connected with a header sending the ball hurling towards the far post, ricocheting off the post and into the net to give the Lions a 2-1 advantage.
The Lions weren't done yet getting another chance in the 70th minute. Freshman
Jesus Salinas would receive a pass from Junior
Luis Martinez Velez and send a looping through ball to Sophomore
Willis Johnson. After Johnson headed the ball forward the UC-Clermont defender would trip him in the box giving the Lions a penalty kick. Johnson would step to take the kick and power the ball to the left pass the goalkeeper's glove and into the net giving the Lions a 3-1 lead.
But, UC-Clermont would answer back in the 80th minute trimming the Lions lead to just 1. Senior Goalkeeper
Gustavo Gutierrez commanded the defense and held off the Cougars giving the Lions a 3-2 victory. Gutierrez had an amazing game for the Lions making 8 saves including a couple crucial game-saving efforts.
Michael Abel stole the show scoring a pair of goals followed by
Willis Johnson with a goal for himself and
Joseph Stark with the lone assist on the night.
UP NEXT: Your Mount St. Joseph Lions will be back in action this Thursday, September 22nd when the Lions welcome the Quakers of Wilmington to Schueler Field. Kick-off is scheduled for 7pm.
