CANTON, OH - The Malone University men's soccer team battled Lake Erie College to a tie in the team's final match at Pioneer Park this season, 2-2. Malone trailed 2-0 after the first half of play, but rebounded for two in the second half to draw even. In the tie, the Pioneers move to 1-11-3 overall and 0-6-3 in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) competition as the Storm move to 4-4-8 overall and 4-4-4 in G-MAC play.
 
The first 45 minutes were controlled by Lake Erie as the Storm were able to net the first goal of the match within the first three minutes of the contest. After the early goal by Lake Erie, the Storm continued to maintain pressure on the Pioneers and late in the period would net another goal to increase their lead to 2-0 going at the half. Lake Erie's dominant first half was highlighted by their 13 shot total in the period as Malone only managed two in the half.
 
The second half featured a completely different game than the first as the Pioneers turned the tides. Malone's first goal was scored by freshman forward Thembani Phoya and assisted by freshman Ryan Ziskowski in the 47th minute. This early second-half score was the spark the Pioneers needed as they continued to fight their way back from the 2-1 deficit. Lake Erie would swing back on the attack, but the Pioneer's defense would hold strong, not giving up any points in the second half. In the physical second period, senior defender Andres Eizaga netted the tying goal off a penalty kick in the 57th minute for the Pioneers to tie the match at 2-2. The Pioneers and Storm each had solid opportunities late in the contest but neither found the promised land.
 
Statistically, Malone led the second half with nine shots compared to Lake Erie's six. Despite the strong second half by the Pioneers, the Storm managed to win shots 19-11 and 8-5 with shots on-goal. Lake Erie also led the game in corner kicks, 9-2.
 
Defensively, the Pioneers would split the responsibilities in goal between junior goalkeeper Sam Cipriano and freshman goalkeeper Roman Sigafoos (0-2-1). Cirpriano tallied three saves and Sigafoos two in the game. Sophomore Caleb Redding and senior Dylan DiPiero played the full 90 minutes on the backline.
 
Malone will look to keep momentum rolling into a G-MAC contest on the road against the Northwood University Timberwolves on Saturday, November 1. Kickoff is set for 4:00 P.M. in Midland, Michigan.