DAYTON, Tenn. — CIU men's soccer erased a two-goal deficit in the final six minutes Saturday, scoring twice in a span of less than two minutes to earn a dramatic 5-5 draw against Bryan College in Appalachian Athletic Conference action.
The result moved the Rams to 5-3-3 overall and 3-1-2 in AAC play.
Bryan jumped in front with goals in the 13th and 17th minutes before Ezekiel Bargas put CIU on the board at the 18:34 mark.
The Lions restored their two-goal advantage in the 26th minute, but the Rams responded late in the opening half. Turner Ferguson found the back of the net in the 40th minute to pull CIU within one before Josiah Clermont struck at 42:38 to level the match at 3-3.
Bryan answered just 42 seconds later, however, taking a 4-3 advantage into halftime.
The Lions added to their lead in the 70th minute, putting CIU in a 5-3 hole with just over 20 minutes remaining. The Rams continued to push forward and were rewarded with a furious late rally.
Julian Rodriguez cut the deficit to 5-4 at 84:41 before striking again just 88 seconds later at 86:09 to bring the Rams all the way back and tie the contest at 5-5.
CIU continued to threaten after the equalizer, with Bargas and Rodriguez each producing attempts in the closing minutes, but neither side found a winner.
Rodriguez led CIU with two goals on three shots, while Bargas, Ferguson and Clermont each scored once. The Rams put 10 of their 13 shots on frame. Branson Calcutt played the entire second half in goal and made eight saves while allowing just one goal.
CIU will step out of conference play Wednesday, Oct. 7, when the Rams travel to face Carolina University.
