From Washington University Athletics
The Washington University in St. Louis men's soccer team battled back from a first-half deficit with a late goal en route to a 1-1 double overtime tie at Wartburg College in the season opener Friday in Waverly, Iowa.
"We scored a great goal to tie it late in the game," said 21st-year head coach Joe Clarke. "We had some good moments tonight, and played a bunch of young players. The effort from our team was great."
WashU and Wartburg each recorded six shots in the first half, but it was the Knights who struck first in the 17th minute on an unassisted goal by Daniel Luzindya. The Bears had four shots on goal in the opening half.
WashU recorded the first three shots of the second half, but could not find the back of the net. The Bears evened the game in the 84th minute after junior Ryan Sproule received a cross in the box from senior Anthony Law and finished with a shot to the right corner. The goal for Sproule was the 15th of his career.
Sophomore Makio Yamamoto made a nice run early in the second overtime, but his shot from just outside the box sailed over the crossbar. Freshman Sean Connors nearly won it in the 108th minute when his left-footed shot was punched over the bar by the Wartburg goalkeeper Gunnar Lenzen.
Senior goalkeeper Colin McCune made his first career start and recorded eight saves. WashU outshot Wartburg 20-16, and had a 10-6 advantage in corner kicks.
BEAR NOTEBOOK: The teams met for just the second time in school history, and first since 2006 … The Bears are 16-3-2 in season openers under Clarke ... WashU has tied its last three games dating back to last season.