MOUNT VERNON, Iowa – Beloit College fought back from an early deficit and took a second-half lead this morning, but a Cornell College penalty kick with nine minutes left produced a 2-2 draw at Cornell Soccer Field. Beloit's Ben Borger Germann made nine saves to keep the Buccaneers in the match against a Rams side that took 24 shots.
Cornell (0-6-3, 0-1-2 MWC) controlled the early play, earning corner kicks at 2:56, 3:57 and 7:37 and testing Borger Germann repeatedly. The Rams broke through in the 20th minute, when Erwann Hiernaux scored unassisted to make it 1-0.
Beloit (0-10-1, 0-2-1 MWC) answered in the 34th minute. After a foul in the box, senior-worthy composure from Colin Frank was on display as he converted the penalty kick to level the match at 1-1. It was Frank's first goal of the season, and he played 82 minutes. The teams went to halftime tied, with Cornell leading 10-8 in shots.
The Buccaneers came out sharp after the break. Just 1:44 into the second half, at 46:44, substitute Royce Rodriguez scored unassisted to put Beloit up 2-1. It was his second goal of the season. He finished with a team-high three shots, two on target, and also forced a save from Cornell keeper Kian Farrell in the 55th minute.
Cornell pushed hard to find an equalizer, outshooting Beloit 14-10 in the second half. Kyriacos Photiou led the Rams with seven shots, five of them on target. Borger Germann was the difference for long stretches, going the full 90 minutes with nine saves, including stops on Photiou, Tadhg Thompson, Rafiel Alcaraz and Holden Arthaud-Day.
Beloit was called for a foul in the box at 81:03, and Photiou converted the penalty to make it 2-2. Beloit nearly answered, as Ervin Rosas and Eduardo Larsen Reyes (Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia) both forced saves from Farrell in the 84th and 86th minutes. Rosas also sent a late shot wide left in the 90th minute. Cornell finished a man down after a red card for dissent at 87:23, but Beloit could not capitalize.
The Buccaneers return to action on Tuesday when they host Grinnell College at the Strong Complex Soccer Field. Kick off is set for 4 pm.
