Box Score American University men's soccer took on a game Denver Pioneers squad on Sunday afternoon at Reeves Field as the two teams battled for 110 minutes, going to double overtime and playing to a 2-2 tie.
Denver (1-2-1) struck first in the game, just under eight minutes in, but the Eagles scored prior to the break and went up 2-1 with 22 minutes to play in regulation, but the Pioneers answered only two minutes later.
American (1-2-1) controlled much of the overtime periods, but could not find the go-ahead goal.
"We are pleased to get a point in the standings, and after a slow start, we really started to play well," said head Todd West. "Our versatility with several players in different positions all over the field helped us this afternoon and hopefully we can build off of this performance."
The Pioneers scored just 7:48 into the game on a header off of a free kick and were able to keep the AU offense in check for the next 23 minutes, until senior midfielder Patrick Mehlert came through with the game-tying score. Rookie Dale Ludwig and junior Conor Osborne were there for the assists.
American took its first lead of the game 17 minutes into the second half when the Pioneers took down senior Colin Seigfreid in the box to set up senior captain Cristobal Soto on the penalty kick. The fourth-year defender drilled it home to improve to two-for-two on the season in P.K.'s, notching his first at George Mason earlier this year.
The lead did not last long however as Denver's Reid Hukari used every inch of his 6-foot-7 frame to head one in for the Pioneers.
In the first OT, the Eagles controlled almost entirely, totaling six shots to Denver's zero, but neither team was able to find one on goal through the two extra stanzas as the squads left the pitch with a point in their totals.
The Eagles hit the road for two games, playing at Hartford on Friday, September 13 at 7 p.m., before playing at Longwood on Wednesday, September 18. AU returns to Reeves on Saturday, September 21st at 1 p.m., when they host Liberty.
