V-Hawks and Pride Tie 2-2

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Men's Soccer Team tied Clarke University (Iowa) in a non-conference matchup on Tuesday afternoon, 2-2. The V-Hawks now hold a 1-0-1 record, while the Pride sit at 0-0-2.

After an early save for Ernesto Ascenzo in the 8^th minute, Joaquin Eichhorn would score his first goal of the season on a ball from Johan Hamnstrom and Polyzois Douvas at 10:33. The V-Hawks defense would hold strong, allowing four shots, two of them saved by Ascenzo, until Luke Persenico found the back of the goal for the Pride, on an assist from at Robin Tanju in the 33^rd minute. Clarke would attempt two more shots, but neither team would score and they would take the 1-1 tied into the break.

After a barrage of shots early in the second half failed to find the goal, Santiago Tellez would hit the post, but followed that with a corner kick that resulted in his second goal of the season and the 2-1 lead in the 59^th minute. After over 10 minutes of neither team landing a shot on goal, Persenico would play distributor, setting up Jose Gomez for the tying goal at 71:49. The goalies would trade a pair of saves, but Clarke would set up for one final free kick just outside the box with under four minutes to play. Gomez's shot almost snuck in the bottom right corner, but Ascenzo's diving save kept the stalemate, and the match would end 2-2.

Tellez led the V-Hawks offense, with four shots, two on goal, and a score, while Eichorn scored on his lone SOG. Persenico took six shots, with half on target leading to his goal.

Ernesto Ascenzo (T, 1-0-1) recorded six saves, while Marc Ibanez (T, 0-0-1) had two.

The V-Hawks return to action on Wednesday, August 30 as they host Bellevue University (Neb.) at 3 PM.