MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Lander men's soccer team earned a 1-1 draw with Auburn-Montgomery in their first road match of the season on Saturday night at the AUM Soccer Complex.
Lander (0-0-3) controlled much of the game and peppered the AUM (2-1-1) keepers with nine shots on goal and 16 overall to the Warhawks' four shots.
Orran Mushet found separation from the AUM defense in the 34th minute, shot the ball while in a slide and managed to get it over a diving keeper with enough momentum to find the back of the net from just inside the box on the right side.
It was Mushet's first goal as a Bearcat and it was
Zach Meyer who placed a perfect pass that hit him in stride. Lander carried that 1-0 lead into halftime.
The Bearcats' first clean chance to add to their cushion in the second half came off the foot of
Callum Stokes in the 57th minute when his free-kick was punched away by the
Warhawks' goalie.
Though AUM tied the match at 1 in the 75th minute, Lander certainly kept pushing until the end.
Daniel Restrepo cleared the ball out of the defensive zone following an 88th minute corner kick – and it was misplayed by AUM at midfield. That allowed
Carson Graves to break loose with the ball, though the AUM defender caught up to him before he could make a move on the keeper, hindering his chance at a clean shot.
Lander will stay on the road this Wednesday, Sept. 17 for a date with North Georgia to open Peach Belt Conference play. Match time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
