Columbia College plays to draw

COLUMBIA- Defense was the deciding factor Friday night as the Columbia College soccer team faced American Midwest Conference opponent Hannibal-Lagrange College.

The double-overtime match ended with a draw at 0-0, taking the Cougars to 5-6-2 for the season and 3-2-1 in conference play.

"The defense was solid for sure," Columbia College oach John Klein said. "The back four guys plus our midfielders identified where Hannibal's attack was coming and I don't think we gave them many opportunities."

Coming off a loss to conference rival McKendree University on Tuesday, the Cougars were desperate for a league win. Hannibal lost its unblemished season record last week against the University of Illinois-Springfield , 3-2. Ranked No. 6 in the NAIA, the Trojans' record is now 12-1-1.

Though no goals were scored, the Cougars had chances to win the game early in the first but missed a couple of scoring chances. Dylan Barduzzi dribbled into the box off of a corner kick, but his shot sailed over the net with 30 minutes left in the first half. Columbia College finished the game with nine shots total, and three on goal against Hannibal's 13 shots, with two of them on goal.

The second half was marked by the Cougar defense. Columbia College defender Charlie McCarthy and midfielders Jordan Cox and Tim Tevlin keeping the Cougars' defense organized and steady and aggressively shut down numerous Trojan break aways.

"Our defense has come around the last couple of games," Cox said. "Everybody tried hard and that's what did it for us."

With 23 seconds left in regulation, the Trojans had a break away, as the Cougars were hustling down the field. Hannibal missed their opportunity when a shot coming off a corner kick could not be converted

Goalie Goran Vuklis dove for a ball to begin the first overtime, almost making a crucial mistake when Vuklis misplayed the ball to the center of the box. The Cougars saved a goal by kicking it out.

After playing for 100 minutes, both teams' players were digging deep to finish the game off with a score. In the seventh minute of overtime, a shot by forward Brian Eike struck the post as three Cougars fell to their knees watching their last opportunity ricochet away.

"This tie was probably a confidence booster, as we were the underdog here," Cox said. "We didn't come in thinking we were the underdog, and we wanted this win for sure."

Klein said that he has been satisfied with the way his team has played in its past two games, even though no wins have resulted.

"I thought it was our boy's best effort all year in terms of 90 minutes of soccer," Klein said. "That was a great college soccer game. A great game."

The Cougars look for a win against Missouri Baptist University at 7 p.m Tuesday in Columbia. This is their last game against a conference opponent and need a win in order to get a better seed in the conference tournament.