Moses Mensah sends a cross for the Camels in the second half.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
BUIES CREEK — Campbell and Stetson battled to a 2-2 draw Sunday afternoon at the Eakes Athletic Complex. The Camels (2-1-1) twice took the lead, but could not hold off two equalizers from the Hatters (0-2-2).
Tyler Young and Jalen James scored for the Camels, who twice hit the woodwork late in the contest.
“It’s a tough situation to play two games in three days,” said Campbell head coach Dustin Fonder. “Our start to the game was good, but either mentally or physically, we got fatigued and didn’t play as well as we can. We scored some good goals, but unfortunately we conceded.”
Just 15 minutes into the match, George Bediko played a back heel pass on the left side to Moses Mensah, whose low cross was volleyed home by Young. Minutes later, Young had a clear chance, but his left-footed effort sailed over the bar.
In the 33rd minute, Stetson’s Luis Lara Delgado slid the ball through to Oliver Bryneus, who broke in free on Rodriguez, but his left-footed shot stayed well high of the target.
After 64 minutes, Stetson’s Steven Johnson-Fikula rose for a corner kick, but his header clanged off Rodriguez’ bar and away. Bryneus drew the Hatters level in the 73rd minute when he scored at the back post on Maxime Allione’s cross.
Campbell again went in front after 79 minutes when James nodded Franck Momo’s serve into the net. Sami Charaf Amal nearly pushed the advantage to a pair when his 86th minute direct kick just outside the box banged off the bar and Kemy Amiche’s follow shot was blocked.
Rodriguez preserved the lead when he made a foot save on Gabriel Toro’s chance in the 88th minute, but the Hatters forced extra time with just 51 seconds to play. Alex Turner’s shot hit the left post, but caromed off to Toro, who slotted home the equalizer.
The woodwork denied the Camels again in the 91st minute when Jake Morris hit the bar. With four minutes to play in the second OT, Young nearly provided the winner on a volley that sailed just high.
Rodriguez again saved a goal in the 109th minute when his foot save on Nelson Pereira’s shot kept the score level at two.
Campbell finished with an 18-15 edge in shots, while both teams had seven attempts on target. Rodriguez made five saves in the Camel nets, and Jacob Gruber had five stops for the Hatters.
The Camels conclude their four-match home stand Friday (September 10) with a 7 p.m. start against Old Dominion.
(Campbell media services provided the basis for this report)
Tyler Young scores Campbell’s first goal on Sunday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Jake Morris takes a shot in the second half for Campbell.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Bissafi Dotte goes up for a Campbell corner kick in a draw with Stetson,
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Jalen James celebrates after scoring Campbell’s second goal.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
