Men's Soccer Splits the Points with UM-Dearborn on Homecoming

Men's Soccer Splits the Points with UM-Dearborn on Homecoming
October 5, 2024

(Howell, MI)-- The UM-Dearborn Wolverines came to Lake Trust Stadium for a match against the Cleary Cougar men's soccer team on Homecoming Saturday evening, and the two teams would end up splitting the points.

After a scoreless first half for both teams, Cleary came storming out of the gate in the second half, when Santino Savastano-Farr fired a low and curling shot that forced a save from UM-Dearborn's goalkeeper, Jack Rogers.  Rogers was not able to keep possession of the shot, and it bounced out of his hands and right to the foot of Felix Arndt who powered a shot into the back of the net in the 48th minute, giving Cleary a 1-0 lead.  The game would start to get tighter, as Cleary looked to expand their lead, and UM-Dearborn looked to find their equalizer.  After a foul was called against the Cougars in the 70th minute, the Wolverines would get their break on the ensuing free kick, when Cleary was called for a hand-ball foul in the penalty area, resulting in a penalty kick.  The Wolverines' Andrew Schwartz would step up and convert, to tie the game at 1-1 with just under ten minutes to play.  Unfortunately for the Cougars, they would be unable to find the go-ahead goal, and the game ended with a 1-1 scoreline.

Austin Freemire would earn his first draw of the season, making 4 saves on 5 shots faced.  The Wolverines outshot Cleary 17-15, while Cleary had 8 shots on goal to UM-Dearborn's 5.  The two teams combined for 30 fouls and 9 yellow cards in the match.

The draw now puts Cleary's record at 6-5-1 on the year, 3-2-1 in the WHAC.  The Cougars will be back on the road on Wednesday, October 9, when they travel to Fort Wayne to play the Indiana Tech Warriors in a WHAC matchup.  Kickoff is slated for 6:00 PM.