QUINCY, Ill. – The Quincy University men's soccer team battled through a hot Wednesday morning at Legends Stadium, scoring with seconds remaining to earn a 1-1 draw against Purdue Northwest in its final non-conference match before GLVC play.
Neither side found the back of the net during the opening 45 minutes. Purdue Northwest controlled much of the possession in its attacking half and generated seven first-half shots, but Quincy goalkeeper
Jake Offerman turned away all three attempts on goal to keep the match scoreless. The Hawks produced four shots of their own and earned three corner kicks before halftime.
The scoreless battle continued into the second half, with both sides creating opportunities. Quincy began to generate more chances as the match progressed, forcing four saves after halftime, but Purdue Northwest finally broke through in the 77th minute.
Gianluca Franco delivered a ball into the box from distance, finding Ricardo Cruz, who headed it home for his first goal of the season and a 1-0 Purdue Northwest advantage.
The goal appeared as though it might stand as the difference, but the Hawks continued to push for an equalizer.
Josh Nwosu forced saves in both the 78th and 79th minutes, while
Riley White put another attempt on target in the 82nd.
Leo Cann nearly leveled the match in the 85th minute, but his attempt went just over the crossbar on a free kick.
With the clock winding down, Quincy finally broke through.
Colin Kurk sent a throw-in into the attacking area, where
Rylan Fischer redirected the ball with his head toward goal. Nwosu was waiting in front and tapped it home at the 89:25 mark, tying the match at 1-1 with just 35 seconds remaining.
The goal was Nwosu's first of the season and the eighth of his collegiate career. Kurk picked up the first point of his career with an assist, while Fischer recorded his first career assist and has now registered a point in consecutive matches after scoring his first collegiate goal in Saturday's 5-1 victory over St. Cloud State.
Purdue Northwest finished with a 16-13 advantage in shots and an 8-5 edge in shots on goal, while the two sides each earned four corner kicks. Nwosu led the Quincy attack with five shots and three on goal, while Cann added four attempts.
Offerman played all 90 minutes in goal for the Hawks and registered seven saves, one shy of tying his single-game high of eight.
Quincy moves to 1-1-1 on the season and now turns its attention to conference play. The Hawks open their GLVC schedule on Saturday, September 5, traveling to Lebanon, Illinois, to take on McKendree University at 2:30 PM from Leemon Field.
