Both teams
came out with strong play and found it hard to get anything past the opposing
defense. The visiting Cardinals (5-8-2, 3-7 WHAC) struck first with a goal at
the 28-minute mark to go up 1-nill. It was then that everyone in the stands
prepared for what happened during the season-opening loss.
The
resilient Mustangs bounced back with a couple runs down the field. Leading goal
scorer Jordan Berry capitalized on a
Cardinal mishap and dribbled in it for the game-tying goal.
After
playing to an even (1-1) first half, the Cardinals pleaded with each other to
put away the dangerous Mustangs before they picked up enough momentum. The NAIA
foe did just that as they pushed one past freshman goalkeep Garrett Gregg to take a 2-1 lead.
Freshman
midfielder Joe de Verteuil had an
opportunity to tie the game in the 74th minute but came up empty on
a solid Cardinal save.
The
Cardinals never looked back as they added two goals in the final six minutes of
play to take a 4-1 road decision. The Mustangs proved to the Cardinals and the
rest of the NAIA world that they will be a force to be reckoned with for years
to come.
Despite a few late goals, the team from Marygrove battled the stronger
Cardinal squad to a near upset. The hard-fought loss was an accomplishment in
it's own due to the early season lopsided affair between the two teams.
The Mustangs will finish their inaugural season this Saturday at Cornerstone University. Game time is set for 2:30pm. GO MUSTANGS!