Heroics From Pernas Not Enough to Withstand Tiger Onsluaght

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The University of Dallas men's soccer team fell to 3-3-0 on the year after this afternoon's away loss to Colorado College.  The Crusaders pulled one back after falling behind 2-0, but the Tigers snagged alate goal to see out a 3-1 win. 

The first whistle had hardly been blown before the Tigers were on the board. A low cross in from the left hand side found its way into a crowd of players in front of goal, the ensuing scrum culminating with the Tigers poking the ball into the back of the net to take an early 1-0 lead.

Colorado College were up 2-0 before the 10-minute mark, winning the ball back in UD's defensive third after some high pressure and slotting home after a combination at the top of the box.

The Crusaders goalkeeper, Goncalo Pernas, kept them within striking distance with a pair of stellar saves; one a close-range effort where had to come off his line, and another on a floating ball that nearly dipped under the crossbar, but he got his top hand to it and pushed it off the frame of the goal.

The Crusaders pulled one back with five minutes left in the half after the Tigers conceded a penalty on a foul by Mason Davis. Chase Reynolds stepped up and buried the spot-kick, giving the Crusaders a lifeline in the match.

The Crusaders nearly equalised in the second half, despite Colorado's continued dominance. The Tigers backline was dispossessed by Karson Pannell in their own half, Pannell immediately tearing down the field on a quick counter, but he was fouled just at the edge of the box. The cross into the box from the free-kick found the head of a Crusader attacker, but the effort slammed off the front of the crossbar, leaving UD still a goal behind.

Instead, it was the Tigers who came down the other end just a few minutes later and added another goal to their tally. The ball was sent in low by a set-piece from around the far edge of the box. The ball bounced and skipped awkwardly through a crowd of people, and looked to be deflected at least once as it snuck into the back of the net from about eight yards out.  It would be enough for the Tigers to seal the win.

Up Next

The Crusaders are back in action this Friday away at Austin College, kicking off at 8:00 p.m.