EMMITSBURG, Md. (October 8, 2022) – Leading point scorer
Jesus Salazar picked a good time to register his third goal of the season. The strike pulled the game pulled Saturday's contest with the Niagara Purple Eagles level, giving the Mount a key point to stay among the leaders in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).
Their first tie of the season, the Mount's record stands at 6-4-1 (2-1-1 MAAC) with seven points in the standings. That puts them in a four-way tie for first place.
A physical, chippy contest, the teams combined for 41 fouls. Niagara outpaced the Mount in shots 16-9, but
Ethan Russell continued saves at a high rate, stopping six out of eight shots on goal.
This day saw the Mount battle from behind, beginning in the 13
th minute when the Purple Eagles' Gabriel Mikina benefited from a rebound, firmly planting the second effort in the back of the net. Mount freshman
Ethan Glaser responded 10 minutes later, receiving a ball crossed in by
Ruben Kiers and sent to the left side of the box by
Ondrej Soukup. Glaser ricocheted the touch at the right corner, notching his second on the season and leveling the score.
Niagara ensured they would hold the halftime advantage when their leading goal scorer Rodrigo Almeida headed in a cross for a 2-1 advantage.
The Purple Eagles looked to expand their lead but those attempts were either saved by Russell, sailed off target or blocked. Opportunities for the Mount proved sparse until the 71
st minute.
Kofi Amoah crossed in a pass which
Erick Villatoro centered on net. All Salazar needed was a light touch between his feet to send it past the keeper.
Both teams worked to earn a win. The closest chance was for Niagara as Federico Cugge found space, but his shot dinged off the post and into Russell's waiting arms. Late charges by either side produced no results, concluding in a 2-2 final.
Hitting the road this Wednesday, Mount St. Mary's gears up for a 6 p.m. kickoff against Manhattan. The Jaspers are also one of the four teams that hold down a tie for first place.
