HEROICS FROM TAUZIK AND LOPEZ FORCE DRAW AGAINST GOSHEN

WASHINGTON, Mich. - Two perfectly placed free kicks from senior midfielder Adrian Lopez and 15 saves from goalkeeper Kris Tauzikhelped the Warriors (0-2-1) secure a 2-2 tie against the visiting Goshen Maple Leafs (2-3-2) on Wednesday afternoon. For most of the contest, the Warriors were at a ten-man disadvantage, but the goals from Lopez and brilliant defensive play from Tauzik helped RCU earn the tie in their home debut. 

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

• Tauzik immediately had to go to work when challenged by the Maple Leafs in the second minute of play but tacked on the first of a career-high 15 saves. Things would get tough for RCU in the 20th minute, as the team would go down to ten men due to a foul. Goshen capitalized to take a 1-0 lead into halftime

SECOND HALF

• After a few attacking attempts by the Maple Leafs, the Warriors drew a foul on the other side of the pitch right at the edge of the goalie box. Lopez used the opportunity to line up a perfectly placed ball over the wall and into the top left corner of the goal. Tauzik continued to give the visitors trouble offensively with more and more saves piling on, but Goshen broke open another goal in the 78th minute to seemingly doom the Warriors
• The Warriors had a  - "Call an ambulance! But not for me" - moment shortly after, with the senior midfielder getting another opportunity to take a free kick in the center area of the goalie box. Lopez again curved a ball perfectly into the net to tie the game to the delight of the Warrior bench. From there, the defense for the Warriors clutched up and despite the numbers disadvantage, were able to escape with a draw

STAT OF THE GAME

Tauzik's 15 saves are tied for the second-most in a single game in Warrior program history. 

UP NEXT

RCU faces Adrian on Sunday, Sept. 15, on the road at 12 p.m.

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications