Late goal by Gomez gives Pride a 2-2 tie with Viterbo

LA CROSSE, Wis. – Behind a freshman goalkeeper making his first career start, the Clarke University men's soccer team scored in each half to keep themselves without a loss on the season after a 2-2 tie against Viterbo University on Tuesday afternoon.

With starting keeper Fernando Contreras not going in this one, the net was handed off to freshman Marc Ibanez. Ibanez, hailing from Madrid, Spain, got his first taste of NAIA soccer when Joaquin Eichhorn beat Ibanez in the 10th minute to give the V-Hawks the early advantage.

Looking to give some offensive support, the Pride returnees of Jonathan Velasquez, Luke Persenico, and Kevin Klos all had solid opportunities early to put CU on the board. The pressure would pay off as Persenico would score his first of the year after leading the team in 2022 with 11 goals total.

Viterbo would get the lead back after an unassisted goal from Santiago Tellez. After the goal, both sides would go back and forth trading opportunities until the Pride's Jose Gomez would score in the 71st minute to even up the score at 2 apiece.

After the Gomez goal, the game would get a little chippy with fouls and yellow cards being called on both sides, but ultimately the game would end in a 2-2 tie bringing the Clarke University men's soccer record to 0-0-2 to begin the season.

For the Pride, Ibanez would play the complete 90-minute contest in net and finish with two saves. Being credited with assists on the goals were Robin Tanju and Persenico.

Leading the way for the V-Hawks in shots was Tellez and his four attempts. Being credited with the assists on the first VU goal were Johan Hamnstrom and Polyzois Douvas. In net for VU was Ernesto Ascenzo who made six saves.

The Pride men's soccer team is scheduled to play at home on Sunday, September 3rd against Waldorf University starting at 2:30 pm.