MARIETTA, Ga. — The Life University men's soccer team dropped its first game of the season by just one score Friday night as the Patriots from the University of Cumberlands used a late goal to complete the comeback in a 2-1 Life U defeat.
To begin the game, the Running Eagles (2-1-1) and Patriots both opened the game with solid offensive chances as both teams created opportunities within the first ten minutes of play.
Life U's lone goal of the contest came from free play, as a beautiful cross from the right wing found Matteo Olivotto's head, centering the ball for a Luka Andrijic finish from just outside the six yard box.
Despite going down, UC would mount on the attack towards the end of the first half, forcing two impressive saves from Branko Kanacki. First, the goalkeeper would handle a strike in the 32nd minute before parrying a shot into the crossbar shortly after in the 35th.
Heading to the break, the Running Eagles led 1-0.
Directly after the break, sophomore standout Lars Van Der Steen found a free header off a corner, but as the attempt sailed high the Running Eagles still lacked the much-needed cushion.
At the other end, UC made the most of their chance at an equalizer in the 57th minute when a midfielder was taken down just inside the top of the box, awarding the visitors with a penalty. The ensuing PK from Mario Fernandes Garcia went past Kanacki, breaking the Running Eagles' three-game clean sheet streak.
Both teams then continued to create solid chances throughout the final thirty minutes as contested shot after shot missed high and wide for both contenders.
The Running Eagles' ultimate demise came in the 73rd minute when the Patriots served a low cross into the box before smashing a shot on frame into the roof of the net.
Inside the Box Score:
- Both teams created quality looks, but a breakthrough in the 73rd minute was all UC needed to serve Life U its first loss of the season.
- After a calm first half (one yellow), things got chippier in the final 45 as 19 fouls and five yellow cards were handed out in the second half.
