Box Score SALEM, W. Va. (Oct. 3, 2017) – Ninety minutes and two additional overtimes did little to separate the Salem International University (SIU) Tigers men's soccer team and West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC), finishing the match in a 2-2 draw.

In a match so tightly contested, mere inches made significant impacts, sending a header veering off just to the left of the goal, or a pass leading a teammate one step too far. And though Salem may have missed on the one or two key opportunities to take an outright victory against a previously nationally ranked team, the Tigers' execution put them in position to make the plays.

"We knew it was going to be a tough match. They were nationally ranked (No. 22 heading into the week) for a good reason. We were well prepared and played hard," Head Coach Florin Marton said. "At the end of the day, it's this type of performance that builds character and helps develop the kind of team we're building.

"Let's not forget, we have a young team that swings with the momentum of the game and needs to build up confidence. Yes, I would have liked to win it, but it I will take it for what it is because it creates the platform for better results to come."

The Tigers surrendered the first goal of the match roughly 20 minutes in when freshman goalie Wiktor Stawksi was caught just outside the box, leaving the net open for a quick pass from Guillermo Rueda to Matthew Bentley for what would be a 1-0 halftime lead.

Stawksi was otherwise impressive in his first start with six saves in the first half and nine for the game.

After West Virginia Wesleyan took a 9-6 advantage in shots into halftime, the Tigers came out aggressive in the second half, getting 10 shots to Wesleyan's four. Federico Toschi tied the game 13 minutes into the half on a pass from Niklas Roessler.

Fourteen minutes later, Sjoerd Schobbers got free on a pass from Mark Ferenczi-Bako for a quick-hitting goal and a 2-1 lead.

The Tigers' defense was solid through most of the second half, preventing shots and keeping the pressure up. But with 10 minutes remaining, West Virginia Wesleyan's Conor Davies got into the middle of the SIU defense in front of the net, knocking in the game-tying, unassisted goal.

The first few minutes of overtime set a physical tone, with both teams exchanging fouls. Stawski made several key plays, leaving the net to breakup crosses and prevent shots on goal.
With the draw, both teams are now 6-3-2 for the season. The Tigers' next game will be against Slippery Rock University on Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. at Catalano Stadium.