GREEN
BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - After leading three times in the final game of the
Green Bay Soccer Classic, the Green Bay (3-2-1) men's soccer team had to settle
for a 3-3 tie against Western Michigan (4-2-1) on Sunday afternoon.
"It was a frustrating day for us especially when we
let them come back in the game like they did, that's something that concerns
us," said head coach Tom Poitras.
On the flip side, Green Bay scored three goals, one
coming early in the first half and two in the second. "We showed resilience but
we have to show that same resilience on the defensive end as well," added
Poitras.
Green Bay's first goal came at 8:51 when JC Banks
(Milwaukee, Wis.) found Tony Walls (Wauwatosa, Wis.) on a long pass
from the right side of the field. After a space in the defense and a perfect
pass from Banks, Walls hardly touched the ball for the header goal and the 1-0
lead.
After a handball penalty was called on Green Bay in
the 24th minute, Western Michigan converted on the penalty kick,
tying it up 1-1 at the break.
Just over four minutes into the second half,
freshman Anthony Santaga (Green Bay, Wis.) scored his first collegiate
goal when he chipped it in from the right corner of the box, giving the Phoenix
the 2-1 lead.
"He showed a lot of composure for a freshman. He was
patient with the goalkeeper and made a tough shot," commented Poitras.
Less than a minute after Green Bay took its second
lead of the game, the Broncos answered. Joel Del Toro found Lito Esquivel deep
in the box as goalkeeper Ryan Wehking (St. Louis, Mo.) shifted left and
Esquivel placed the ball in the left corner of the net for the 2-2 tie.
At 60:24, Banks threw the ball in from the left
corner of the field to Walls who had a header pass to sophomore Alonso
Flores (Chicago, Ill.). Flores laid the ball in the right corner of the
net, scoring his first career collegiate goal.
"He (Alonso) came into the game and gave us a much
needed boost when we needed it," said Poitras. "He definitely earned himself
some more minutes after his performance today."
The
Phoenix failed to contain the Broncos throughout the final four minutes of the
contest as Joseph Beshara found Shane Lyons on a long pass from the far right
side of the field. Beshara scored the header goal for the 3-3 tie, forcing
overtime.
Green
Bay's closest chance at the goal in overtime came at the 10:57 mark when Banks found
Santaga downfield. Santaga took a shot only to have it hit the bottom of the
crossbar.
The
Phoenix outshot the Broncos 20-11, while Wehking had five saves in the 3-3 tie.
Green
Bay will kick off Horizon League play Friday, Sept. 24 when it hosts #21 Butler
in its annual homecoming game at 7:00 p.m.
