Wyoming, MI - Grace faced visiting Andrews University Tuesday night with wet weather once again in the forecast. The Tigers would put relentless pressure on the Cardinals early on in the match. The pressure turned into goals The first coming from
Moubarak Adam who slammed home a ball that came across the box beating the Andrews keeper just eleven minutes into the match. The next goal would come just two minutes later when
Rukundo Masengesho played a ball to Grace's All-American center back
Camden Bierling who powerfully got on the ball and was able to slide it home, scoring his second goal of the season. Grace would continue to fully control the match as the rain really started to come down until the 30th minute. A mistake gave space to Cardinals Guiherme Martins dos Reis who hit an incredible ball from distance giving freshman keeper
Aidan Gansert no chance. The Tigers would take a 2-1 lead into halftime.
The second half started with more chances being created from the Tigers, each met with great saves from the Andrews keeper. Andrews aggressive physical play made an impact on the game, committing an astounding 24 fouls, but getting to nearly every 50/50 ball in the second half. They would be rewarded in the 88th minute leveling things up with a goal of the year type strike from 30 yards out once again by Martis Dos Reis.
Grace had the edge in shots 21-13 and corners 7-1 with the final score ending knotted at 2-2.
"I felt we started the match well. Guys were in tune, moving the ball well, playing composed. All things you must do against a team like Andrews. We did great to create a two goal lead, but failed to adjust to the weather conditions and aggressive nature of our opponent in our play. We did not do enough in the second half to secure the victory. Credit to Andrews for their fight. We need to take a match like this and learn because it can teach us a lot. To use the adjustments at half and carry them out." - Coach Buchanan
Grace's next match will be a rematch with Andrews in Berrien Springs, Mi on 10/18/24.
