The menís soccer team scored early but gave up a goal to force a 1-1 tie with Earlham College this past Saturday at Carl Dale Memorial Field.
Just 30 seconds into the match, Scott Buckwald í10 put a well-placed cross into the box and Yousef Alikabar í11 headed the ball past Earlham keeper for his second goal of the season. The Fighting Scots (3-6-2, 0-3-1 NCAC) remained in control until Earlham was able to beat Woosterís defense and put a ball past Taylor Tackas í12 to even the score.
Wooster and Earlham went shot for shot throughout the entire game each putting balls on goal 13 times, but the Scots rallied and gained momentum in the second overtime. Aliakbar and Josh Dailey í12 both had great looks at goal and nearly were able to break the tie, but two beautiful saves by Earlhamís goalkeeper Jonah Kreniske kept the game knotted at 1-1 and preserved the tie.
Aliakbar led the Scotsí offense with a career-high five shot attempts, while Karl Ruter í10, Adam Will í13 and Chris DeMoll í11 each added in two shots in the draw. Takacs remained strong between the posts for Wooster and racked up four saves protecting Woosterís goal.
The Scots remain winless in the conference and are looking to pick up their first conference win tomorrow when they travel to Deleware, Ohio to take on undefeated Ohio Wesleyan University (12-0-2, 4-0-0 NCAC) in what promises to be a significant trial in the Scotsí effort to remain competitive in the conference.
With only five games remaining in the 2009 season it is crucial for the Scots to get back on track.