WASHINGTON - A first half goal from
Sebastian Garces put the American University men's soccer team in front of Liberty on Sunday afternoon, but a quick response from the visitors tied the match, and a second half penalty against the Eagles gave the Flames a 2-1 lead that held until the end of the contest. AU was also hurt by a red card in the second half, playing with ten players for the final 10 minutes.
Notable
- Today was one AU's best attacking performance of the season so far, putting four shots on target in addition to the goal. The Eagles produced a season-high five corners as well.
- Garces' goal is his first of the season and the fourth of his career.
- Chris Sullivan put two shots on goal for AU, bringing his team-leading total to six.
- Evan Tubbs made three saves.
How it Happened
- Garces got AU on the board just nine minutes into the match. After he chased down a through ball up the right flank, he lofted a cross into the box that found Sullivan. The junior midfielder took a shot that was blocked just in front of goal and fell to Garces, who squared the rebound into the back of the net.
- American's lead was short-lived, as the Flames responded just nine minutes later when Ronnie Gorman beat Tubbs on the low left side of the frame. Quickly, the score was 1-1.
- Garces threatened again in the 25th minute, getting behind the Liberty defense and chipping a shot as Dan Rose charged off his line. The Liberty keeper just got his right hand to the ball as it floated over his head, denying Garces his second tally of the day.
- Just under five minutes into the second half, Reyes Parra received a feed from Patryk Rojek and took contact in the box. With no call given, Liberty's Samson Kpardeh made a run all the way into AU's box in transition and drew contact from Oliver Snowdon, and a penalty was given by the head official.
- American challenged that Parra was fouled in the box, but the ruling on the field was confirmed after review. At the same time, the penalty given to Kpardeh was upheld. The sophomore striker also took the penalty try, beating Tubbs to the bottom left side to give Liberty a 2-1 lead.
- The Eagles put in a determined effort to respond, opening up the Liberty defense and creating quality chances. Sullivan danced through multiple defenders in the box and forced a charging stop from Rose in the 70th minute, then put another shot on goal in the 73rd. Shortly after that, Snowdon nearly connected with Yuta Phoenix on a cross through the six yard box, but his pass went just out of reach of Phoenix's right foot.
- In the 81st minute, Ian Webb-Johnson was given a yellow card for a physical tackle on Pablo Ares in the midfield. After video review, the card was upgraded to red.
- Playing down a man the rest of the game, AU was unable to find an equalizer.
Up Next
- American begins Patriot League play at Colgate next Friday, Sept. 11 at Colgate. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.
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