CINCINNATI, Ohio - On Tuesday, September 12th your Mount St. Joseph University Lions welcomed the Eagles of Asbury to Schueler Field. The Lions defense looked sharp early as Freshman goalkeeper
Aaron Smith made 3 first half saves. Each squad went into halftime without finding the net but the narrative would change in the 2nd half of play. Coming out of the break Asbury would score. The Lions then answered with a pair of goals to take the lead. But, the Eagles were able to fight back grabbing 2 goals themselves taking the game 3-2.
In the first half of play, Asbury pushed the offensive side of the pitch. The Lions found themselves scrapping for possessions in their own territory. Asbury controlled the pitch early tallying 11 shots with 3 on target but could not find the net. The Lions headed to the half eager to get their offensive side working.
After the break Asbury wasted no time attacking. The Eagles got on the board in the 50th minute pushing a ball to the bottom left corner just out of reach of Smith taking a 1-0 lead. But, the Lions responded quickly. After a throw-in on the offensive side of the pitch an Asbury defender attempted to clear the ball with a header. But,
Michael Smith had other plans volleying the ball with his left foot off the bounce. The ball exploded off his foot, clanged off the crossbar and into the net from roughly 17 yards out tying the game in the 54th minute.
The Lions kept their momentum continuing to attack the Eagles defense. The Lions would get another opportunity on a failed clear from the Asbury defense. Each team fought for the ball from about 20 yards out as an Asbury defender looked to clear with a slide. But, waiting for the rebound was
Jacob Trusty. Trusty got a running start and hammered a ball to the top left corner of the net leaving the goalkeeper no chance to save it, past his outstretch glove for another spectacular goal for the Lions.
But, the Eagles made their presence felt as well, immediately responding. Asbury tied the game up at 2 in the 62nd minute. The Eagles then took the lead in the 71st minute leaving the Lions desperate for an equalizer. But, the Lions were only able to muster 1 shot from
Luis Martinez Velez and fell by a final score of 3-2.
UP NEXT: Your Mount St. Joseph Lions are back in action on Friday, September 15th as they travel to Maryville, Tenn. to compete in the Maryville College Invitational. The Lions are set to face Maryville on Friday at 7:30 PM followed by Covenant College on Saturday at 4 PM.
