WASHINGTON – A last-second save from sophomore goalkeeper
Evan Tubbs saved the day for the American University men's soccer team against #15 West Virginia on Monday afternoon, keeping the score knotted 0-0 to give AU a result. Tubbs made four stops in the match, and the Eagles fought hard to earn a clean sheet against one of the country's top teams.
How it Happened
- The opening minutes of the match were split between each side, with neither team opening any dangerous scoring chances.
- The Mountaineers found their first opportunity of the game on a corner kick in the 19th minute, when Jacob Redenfors got his head to a delivery. His shot made it through traffic in the box, but Tubbs was perfectly positioned to make his first save of the day and refuse a rebound chance with bodies around him.
- Both Chris Sullivan and Yuta Phoenix found space outside of WVU's box for American's first shots of the day, but neither fell on target.
- The visitors continued to create, but the Eagles did well to not allow any prime opportunities on goal. Juan Alvarez made an impressive individual effort in the 31st minute, making a run to the top left corner of the box and striking a shot off the right post. That stood as WVU's most serious threat of the half.
- Tubbs was tested again in the 61st minute, stopping a wide open header by Isaac Scheer after he got behind AU's back line.
- Phoenix had American's best look on goal in the half, making a run up the left side and putting a low shot on goal from the top side of the box. Despite getting himself open, the shot wasn't squared and Kendall Starks made a routine save.
- Tubbs' most significant saves came late. He got his left hand to an open look from Thomas Bowe in the 88th minute, then made a heroic stop in the final action of the match.
- After an AU corner kick was cleared with just 20 seconds remaining, Brayden Macomber chased down the ball at midfield and played it forward on the counterattack for Pablo Pozos. Tubbs charged off his line and sprawled to poke the ball off Pozos foot, allowing Javi Gonzalez to clear the ball away just before the final whistle.
Up Next
- The Eagles are back in Patriot League play this Saturday at BU, kicking off at 1 p.m.
Keep Up With Us
- For the latest on American University Men's Soccer, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on X (@AU_MSoccer) and Instagram (@au.msoccer).
