Men's Soccer Outscores Saints to Earn Crucial WHAC Victory

(Adrian, MI)-- The Cleary Cougar men's soccer team built a multi-goal lead, and had to hang on in the second half as they outscored the Siena Heights Saints 5-3 Saturday afternoon in Adrian.

Cleary would almost get on the board in the 8th minute, when Noah Searl took a shot from distance to force a diving save from the Saints' goalkeeper.  Two minutes later, Cleary would draw a foul just outside the box for a free kick.  Jack Heald's attempt on goal would get through the wall, but curled wide, and the game remained scoreless.  The game would not remain scoreless for long, as Callum Johnson would find a pocket of space on the left hand side, turned towards goal, and fired a shot.  His attempt would force a save, but the keeper could not keep control of the ball, as it bounced loose in the penalty area.  Noah Searl would react to the ball first, poking the ball into the net, and giving the Cougars a 1-0 lead.  Fifteen minutes later, after the Cougars drew a corner kick, Brandon Tracy took it short, kicking it to Adam Baldwin.  Baldwin gave it back to Tracy, who sent in a dangerous ball into the box.  Noah Searl was waiting for it, but didn't need a touch, as the ball bounced and curled into the net, to give Tracy the goal, and making it 2-0.  With ten minutes remaining in the half, Cleary capitalized on another corner kick.  This time Brandon Tracy sent it into the box, where the ball found Simbarashe Mazarura's head, and his redirect went in, giving the Cougars a 3-0 lead heading into the break.

After the half, Siena Heights came out strong, and quickly drew a penalty kick in the 50th minute.  SHU would convert the penalty, cutting the lead to 3-1.  Two minutes later, the Saints took advantage of a fortuitous bounce, as a shot attempt that was blocked fell right back to the shooter, who then sent a second shot on target, beating Austin Freemire, and making the score 3-2 with plenty of time still left in the game.  Cleary would respond in the 55th minute, when Callum Johnson got free down the right hand side before sending in a cross from near the touch line.  The cross would find the head of Thomas Kanouna, who redirected it off the turf and into the net for the team's fourth goal.  The craziness of the second half was not done yet, however, as the Saints added their third goal in the 66th minute.  A pass that appeared to go off a Saints player's arm was not called, and it caught the Cougars off guard.  As play continued, Siena Heights was able to get behind the Cougar backline, with only Austin Freemire to beat, and SHU's shot was placed well, making the score 4-3 with twenty-five minutes left in the game.  

Cleary would defend in their block and looked to counter, and one of their counter attempts paid off in the 82nd minute.  Atario Brown was able to get forward, holding up play, and drawing multiple defenders to the ball.  Brown would make a move to escape the pressure in the penalty area, and was taken down in the box, drawing a penalty for Cleary with a chance to ice the game.  Jack Heald stepped up and calmly converted, making the score 5-3.  Siena Heights would not create any danger down the stretch, and the Cougars would win the game by that 5-3 score.

Austin Freemire made 5 saves in the game to earn his 7th win of the season.  Cleary outshot the Saints 22-15 in the game.  The Cougars also held a 7-3 advantage on corner kicks, and committed 19 fouls to SHU's 14.

The win improves Cleary's record to 10-6 overall, 4-5 in the WHAC.  The Cougars will play the first of their two home games next week on Wednesday, October 22, when they host the Defiance College Yellow Jackets at Lake Trust Stadium.  The game is scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM.