Gonzaga University men\u2019s soccer rallied to close a two-goal deficit in the last six minutes of their 3-3 draw against CSU Fullerton at Luger Field on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n
Following a scoreless first half, Drew Pedersen, Perry Blay and Nico Golesis all tallied second half goals to bring the Zags out of the deficit and secure the tie.<\/p>\n
The first 45 minutes saw 12 shots from the Zags and nine from the Titans, but neither team were able to convert. The Zags forced three saves from Titan goalkeeper Asger Hemmer. GU goalkeeper Chema Preciado made five saves, surpassing 200 career saves.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Titans started the scoring in the 53rd minute off of a free kick set piece from the right corner. The ball was serviced right in the middle of the box for a header from Gianluca D\u2019Amato, putting the Titans up 1-0.<\/p>\n
The Zags responded with a set piece of their own in the 68th minute. After challenging a no-call in the box and winning, Pedersen was awarded and scored a penalty kick to tie the game. This was Pedersen\u2019s seventh goal of the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the first half, we didn\u2019t put it on frame enough,\u201d Pedersen said. \u201cIn the second half we went out there and had to put it away.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fullerton scored their second and third goals toward the end of the half. In the 78th minute, the Titans scored on another set piece from just outside the center circle. The ball was sent left of the goal and volleyed to D\u2019amato who one-touched the ball past Preciado. In the 82nd minute, a cross was sent from right field straight to Josiah Green\u2019s foot for a one-touch tap into the back of the net.<\/p>\n
The Zags would begin to make their comeback in the 85th minute with another set piece goal. A free kick served by Dashiell Stein to Golesis at the top of the box who headed the ball to Blay and curved it into the left side netting passed Hemmer.<\/p>\n
A gap in Fullerton\u2019s defense due to a red card in the 86th minute gave Golesis an opportunity to clinch the tie. In the 88th minute, Stein sent a cross in from left field that found the head of Pedersen, but after hitting the crossbar, the ball found Damoni McKenna who serviced Golesis to finish at the net.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI’ve never questioned our guys’ fight and determination to try and get a result,\u201d Head Coach Chris McGauhey said. \u201cThe biggest thing for a coach is effort from players and I haven’t questioned that this year. The results have not been there this year … but in terms of fight and determination to keep going to the very end, I mean it was great to see.\u201d<\/p>\n