LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- Playing the first of two Homecoming matches at Scotland Yard this weekend, the Covenant men's soccer team rallied from two one-goal deficits to play visiting Methodist to a 2-2 draw on Friday night.
Even with the tie, Covenant earns a valuable point in the USA South standings as they go to 2-2-1 in league play and 7-4-3 overall. Methodist goes to 5-5-2 overall and 3-1-1 in conference matches.
Eric McGinnis put the visiting Monarchs ahead 1-0 in the opening period by converting a penalty kick in the 15th minute after Covenant was called for a handball inside the 18-yard box. Though Methodist controlled the tempo in the first 45 minutes, Covenant held tight on defense to trail by just the one score heading into halftime.
In the second half, Covenant got on the board in the 49th minute when Joel Friesen found the back of the net on a header. Friesen received an excellent cross into the box from Barrett Schmidt and converted his fourth goal of the season.
Methodist would again take the lead just a few minutes later as McGinnis scored for the second time in the 52nd minute. McGinnis was the recipient of a flicked pass from Mike Ilodigwe and put the shot past Covenant keeper Shuler Polk to make it 2-1.
Covenant would not go away, however, as Snoopy Davidson scored from a few yards out in the 60th minute to tie the match at 2-2. Friesen was also involved in the second score as he worked the ball to the left side of the net before making a quick, short pass to the middle where Davidson capitalized on the shot.
Both teams had opportunities late in the second period and into the overtime sessions, but came up empty each time.
Methodist outshot Covenant 24-19, but the Scots had a15-12 advantage in the second half and overtimes. Each team placed five shots on goal. Nick Martens made three saves for the Monarchs while Polk also tallied three for Covenant.
Covenant will be back on the field on Saturday night when they host North Carolina Wesleyan at 7 p.m. The match follows the women's game at 5 p.m. Fireworks will take place after the match to conclude the Homecoming festivities.
