UNOH Loses Five-Goal Heartbreaker to No. 21 Marian

LIMA, OH - UNOH battled back from a 2-0 deficit to tie the match against No. 21 Marian at the Labor Day Classic on Saturday, but the Knights stole a late goal to spoil the comeback and take a 3-2 victory.

Marian controlled most of the first 45 and found the go-ahead goal in the 37th minute to carry a lead into halftime. That momentum continued into the second half and the Knights seemingly put the game away with a second goal just six minutes into period. UNOH continued to work to break down a stiff defense and finally started to build some momentum as time ticked down.

The payoff came in the 77th minute when Natxo Sanchez sent a long ball down the field to Michel Tentchou cutting through the Marian backline. Tentchou, one-on-one with the keeper, wasn't going to miss the opportunity and kept the ball low to finish in the back of the net. With new life, the Racers kept the pressure on and created multiple chances before a foul set up a free kick from about 25 yards out in the 82nd minute. Raul Oliu stepped up and fired a missile over the wall, past a diving keeper and into the nearside top corner to level the match at 2-2.

The excitement of an equalizer was short-lived, however, as a mistake on a deep cross by the UNOH keeper left an open net that made an easy finish for the Knights and gave them back the lead, 3-2. The Racers fought to find another goal of their own but time was against them as Marian worked the clock with every touch. UNOH managed to get two more shots off in the final minutes but neither hit the target and the match finished in the Knights' favor.

The physical match produced 30 total fouls and ten cautions with shots leaning slightly in favor of the Racers 12-10.

Jack Cook (1-2) took the loss while making two saves over a full 90 minutes of work.

Day two of the UNOH Labor Day Classic will take place Monday, September 1 with UNOH taking on (RV) Westcliff at 11:00 AM in a first-ever meeting. The Warriors played out a 1-1 draw against No. 4 Cumberlands in the first game of the weekend on Saturday.