Racers Finish Even with MoBap in Six-Goal Thriller

LIMA, OH - It was a thrilling contest at Racer Stadium Wednesday afternoon, but six combined goals couldn't determine a winner as UNOH and Missouri Baptist finished level at 3-3.

The Spartans got on the board first with a little help from UNOH earning and converting a penalty kick in the eleventh minute. The Racers managed to pull things level with a corner kick by Raul Oliu found Josh Pearson on the far post who put it past the keeper before he could react. Missouri Baptist kept the pressure on and needed less than three minutes to get back in front scoring their second in the 26th minute. Depsite a multitude of chances on both ends, the 2-1 scoreline held steady into halftime.

The Racers struck first to start the second half taking advantage of a weak clearance in the 60th minute. A Racer cross was headed up in the air by a defender and Raul Oliu climbed the ladder over his mark to win the ball. Off of Oliu, the ball landed right at the feet of Ryan Hennessy who took a quick touch into the middle of the box catching the keeper moving in the wrong direction and rolling the ball into the net. With the momentum on their side, UNOH continued to dominate the pace of play setting up their first chance to go in front. They won the ball in their defensive third and immediately set up a perfect counter attack as Oliu played a long ball ahead into space. Michel Tentchou used pace to win the race to the ball side stepping a defender in the process for a clean sight on goal. One-on-one with the keeper, Tentchou slotted it home and put his team up 3-2 in the 74th minute.

From there, the Racers tried to bleed the clock while still attempting to keep the pressure on the Spartan defense. In the 84th minute, Tentchou had another opportunity with a headed ball and the keeper out of position. A defender jumped in front of the open goal heading it clear and denying a decisive two-goal lead. That save also seeminly shifted momentum despite time running out. In the 89th minute, Missouri Baptist pulled the match out of the fire with an equalizing goal just 89 seconds from the final horn.

Shots leaned heavily in favor of the Racers 21-12 with UNOH putting eleven on target to six for the Spartans. Pearson and Hennessy both scored for the first time this season with Tentchou bagging his team leading fourth of the year. Oliu was credited with two assists in the match giving him the team lead with three on the season.

UNOH will be off for a week before they face their toughest test of the year so far. The Racers head north to take on the No. 11 team in the country, Spring Arbor, in a night game next Wednesday, September 17.