GOSHEN, Ind. - Men's soccer kicked off their conference season in a home matchup against the Receiving Votes Mount Vernon Nazarene Cougars. Though the Maple Leafs led for most of the first half, they ended up falling 5-2 after a series of unfortunate breakdowns.
The Leafs first took the lead off a beautiful goal from Pedro Diegues in the 27th minute, taken from just outside the 18 yard box and absolutely buried into the upper 90.
The Cougars answered shortly after though, with a goal from Diogo Bento in the 30th minute off the assist from Max Walker. After the goal, Mount Vernon's Carlos Noboa was given a red card for dangerous contact with the keeper.
However, the Leafs, now playing up a man, were also quick to take the lead back once more, off a stunning bicycle kick from Kyle Phillip, his third goal of the season. This makes him the leading goal scorer this season. He was assisted off the cross from Jorge Silva.
The half then seemed like it would end 2-1 in favor of the Maple Leafs, but after a mistake on a throw-in in the Leafs defensive third, Matias Labbe was under pressure once again. In an attempt to prevent the goal, Chaim Williams also picked up a red card that resulted in a penalty kick for the Cougars. When it was scored by Baba Sarr with 16 seconds remaining on the clock, the Leafs and Cougars were coming out of half time now even in score and men on the field.
The entire second half was played with just 10 players for each team, and the Cougars took advantage of their momentum early, with Miguel Bello scoring in the 47th minute. With the Leafs put back on the defensive, the Cougars then scored in the 54th and 69th minutes, put away by Felipe Candido and Dariel Contrera respectively.
Though it was a tough result, the Leafs led a ranked opponent for quite a while and showed real promise before some injuries also reduced the starting lineup later in the second half.
The Maple Leafs are back in action on Saturday, Sep. 26, on the road at 7 p.m. to take on the Receiving Votes Marian Knights.
