The UMKC men’s soccer squad came from a goal down two times on Friday night, and pulled out a 2-2 tie against the Houston Baptist Huskies on Friday night in WAC play.
The ‘Roos (3-6-2, 1-2-1 WAC) went into the halftime break in a 1-0 hole when Marcelo Acuna beat UMKC goalkeeper Ryan Tome with a high shot in the 41st minute to take a 1-0 advantage. The Huskies (6-6-1, 2-2-1 WAC) had the majority of the chances in the opening period, but the injury-riddled ‘Roos didn’t give up.
HBU had a 7-2 lead in shots in the period, while Tome was forced to make a pair of saves.
The second period was much more even as each squad attempted seven shots. The Kangaroos were the first to jump on the board just 1:42 into the half to tie the match at one each. Junior Derek Schrick tallied his first goal of the season when he finished a cross from freshman Pandelis Popgeorgiev, as well as a feed to him from senior Broc Cramer in the 47th minute. It was the second career goal from Schrick, who came off the bench in the game, but started the second half.
The Huskies answered in the 63rd minute when Acuna struck again for his sixth goal of the season to give the home team another lead. He beat Tome on the near post for the tally.
The ‘Roos rallied from there, getting the equalizer in the 78th minute when freshman midfielder Diego Serfaty scored his second goal of the season off a feed from Popgeorgiev.
The ‘Roos took both shots in the first overtime, but were unable to get the game-winner, while HBU had a 4-2 shot advantage in the second OT. Senior defender Guerrero Pino had a header chance on frame as time expired, but Houston Baptist goalkeeper Chance Pope was up to the task for the save.
On the night, the Huskies had a 19-11 shot advantage, while taking an 8-5 lead in shots on goal. The ‘Roos were led by Tome in net with five saves on the night.
UMKC will host UTRGV on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Durwood Stadium to wrap up the weekend action. The Vaqueros lost on a late goal to Air Force on Friday night, 1-0.