FROM STAFF REPORTS

In a rematch of 2010 Peach Belt Conference tournament championship match, the University of Montevallo men’s soccer team battled to a 2-2 tie with Flagler College in the conference opener for both teams Sept. 9.

In a very physical and offensive battle neither team could gain much of an advantage. The two teams combined for 40 shots, 42 fouls and five yellow cards. The Falcons had goals from sophomore Ricky Davey and junior Mike Rinzema.

Montevallo opened the scoring at the 22:27 mark as Tyson Eyo found Davey 25 yards in front of goal. Davey fired a shot that just topped the outstretched arms of the keeper to give Montevallo a 1-0 lead. The Falcons took a 1-0 lead into halftime despite trailing in shots 7-6.

Just 57 seconds into the second half, Joseph Toby scored the first of his two goals in the game. He struck again at the 79:20 mark and it looked like the Saints were going to take a 2-1 upset victory over the Falcons but with just under three minutes left in the game Davey connected with Rinzema who headed the ball past the Flagler keeper to tie the game at 2-2.

Flagler out-shot the Falcons 14-5 in the second half but began to run out of gas. The Falcons pushed in the overtime period but were unable to score the game-winner as they took six shots compared to Flagler’s two.

Sophomore Brendan Ledgeway played all 110 minutes and made seven saves to preserve his unbeaten record this season. T.J. Day made five saves for Flagler as his record moved to 1-1-1.

The Saints outshot the Falcons 23-17 and had a 10-7 advantage in shots on goal. Junior Shane Howard led the Falcons with six shots while Rinzema added four, which all came off his head.

The Falcons return to action Sept. 11 as they travel to Valdosta, Ga. to take on Eckerd College in a neutral site match.