FULTON, Mo. - Despite a 73rd-minute goal by
Sam Allen and controlling the pace of the match for better than 70 minutes, William Woods came up short in its men's soccer season opener against Briar Cliff University by a 2-1 scoreline.
"Despite the result, I'm proud of the way we played today. We know that you can't win a national championship in the first game," said Head Coach
Tommy Nienhaus. "Coming into today, we had three goals: control the pace and flow of the game; stay positive; and get better."
Briar Cliff came out on the front foot in the match, finding the back of the net in the 15th minute. Owls goalkeeper
Wil Rieves was partially obstructed as he tried to collect an inswinging corner kick, and Alex Johnson was able to get just enough on the ball to poke it free from the crowd and across the line.
After the goal, William Woods seized the momentum in the match.
Mike Bhat nearly equalized for the Owls in the 30th minute, but his low, driving effort was pushed wide by Hjalmar Nilsson. WWU was unable to convert on the ensuing corner, but kept consistent pressure on the Charger back line.
BCU managed to double its lead in the 45th minute, very much against the run of play as Andrew Buchanan scooped up a turnover just outside the 18-yard box and drove a hard shot into the far corner of the net.
The Owls nearly cut the deficit in half in the 58th minute, as
Pedro Salmon looped a shot across the mouth of goal that eluded the grasp of Nilsson but clanged off the post.
In the 73rd minute, the relentless pressure of the Owls finally paid off, as
Evan Filer was able to collect a pass on the right wing and dribble to the end line. Filer's cross found the head of Allen, who nodded the ball top shelf.
Miles Andrews came close to equalizing just two minutes later and WWU had several more promising buildups over the final 15 minutes, but the Owls fell just short.
William Woods returns to Firley Field next Thursday night, hosting Dordt University. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.
