Men's Soccer Drops Senior Day Matchup to UNOH; Await WHAC Tournament Opponent

(Howell, MI)-- The Cleary Cougar men's soccer team entered Wednesday's game vs. the UNOH Racers looking to close out the regular season with a win on Senior Day, but were unable to earn the victory, as the Racers won 4-2.

UNOH would strike first in the 28th minute, as they stole the ball off a Cougar's foot, and were able to take advantage as goalie Austin Freemire dove but couldn't come up with the save to keep the game scoreless.  That score would remain through the remainder of the first half.  

Cleary would tie the game in the 53rd minute, when Marcel Zanchin stole the ball and sent a perfect pass to free up Adam Baldwin, who used his speed to get further behind the defense, and slotted the ball into the net.  UNOH would retake the lead just four minutes later, when a direct pass off a Racer's head was not cleared, and fell to the foot of another Racer.  That shot was able to get past Austin Freemire, and the visitors led 2-1.  The lead would be shortlived, as Marcel Zanchin once again stole the ball, and sent a beautiful pass to once again free up Adam Baldwin, and Baldwin was once again true, scoring his second goal of the game in the 62nd minute.  UNOH would take the lead for good in the 66th minute, when a cross was not cleared by the Cougar defense, setting up the eventual game-winning goal.  The Racers would score the dagger goal on a penalty kick in the 80th minute after Cleary committed a handball foul in the box, and UNOH would go on to win 4-2.

Austin Freemire made 7 saves in the game on 11 shots faced.  The two goals by Adam Baldwin were his fourth and fifth of the season.  UNOH outshot Cleary 18-15 in the game, with Cleary putting 11 shots on target to UNOH's 7.  UNOH held a 5-4 advantage on corner kicks, and committed 10 fouls to Cleary's 9.

The loss gives Cleary an 8-8-2 record overall, 5-5-2 in the WHAC.  The Cougars will await the final games being played to find out where they will travel for the first round of the WHAC tournament.  Cleary will either be the #6 or #7 seed, pending the other league results.