TU Earns Draw with Late Goal at Saint Francis
JOLIET, Ill. – Junior Gabe Saliba netted Taylor’s only goal of the game in the 79th minute, with the Trojans trailing, 1-0, knotting the score at one goal apiece and allowing TU to leave Joliet, Illinois, on Tuesday night without a loss.
Both teams were deadlocked at 0-0 for the first 71:20 of action, but the Fighting Saints (0-0-1) notched its only goal of the contest in the 72nd minute to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Saliba converted a header off of freshman Zoltan Suranyi’s free kick with 11:39 remaining in regulation to pull the Trojans into a tie with Saint Francis (IL) that would not be broken over the final 31:39 of play.
Both teams were nearly identical in all aspects of the game, as USF held a slight advantage, 18-15, in shots, an 8-6 edge in shots on goal and a 4-3 edge in corner kicks over Taylor.
Saliba led the way offensively for the Trojans, taking two shots and placing both on goal, including the game-tying score. Suranyi’s assist was the second of his collegiate career, after recording an assist in the team’s opener on Saturday.
Drew Sezonov provided solid play in the goal, tallying seven saves in 110 minutes of action.
TU (1-0-1) will travel to Trinity Christian for a two-game tournament this weekend, with the first game against the host Trolls (1-1) at 6:00 pm on Friday and the second game at 1:00 pm on Monday against No. 5 West Virginia Tech (0-0).