MIDWAY, Ky. — The Midway University men's soccer team saw its six-game winning streak and seven-game unbeaten streak come to an end Thursday afternoon, falling 3-2 to Indiana University East at Midway Turf Field in River States Conference (RSC) play.
The Eagles held a 2-0 advantage with less than 15 minutes remaining before the Red Wolves scored three unanswered goals in the final seven minutes to complete the comeback.
With the loss, Midway falls to 6-2-2 overall and 1-1-0 in RSC play, while IU East improves to 4-4-2 overall and 1-1-0 in conference action.
The first half was a defensive battle, with neither team able to find the back of the net. IU East held a 6-4 advantage in shots, while Midway goalkeeper Landon Sorrell made two saves to keep the match scoreless heading into halftime.
Both offenses became more aggressive in the second half, but it wasn't until the 76th minute that the Eagles finally broke through.
Martiniano Sansone scored his second goal of the season at the 75:38 mark, giving Midway a 1-0 advantage.
Just 56 seconds later, Grant Shearer doubled the Eagles' lead with his first goal of the season. Rhys Dickson recorded the assist on the play, giving Midway a 2-0 advantage with just over 13 minutes remaining.
However, IU East quickly turned the momentum around.
Levi Griffis started the comeback at the 83:38 mark, cutting Midway's lead to 2-1 with just over six minutes remaining.
Less than two minutes later, Braylen Michael Nies-Williams found the back of the net off an assist from Filipe Godoi, tying the match at two with 4:26 remaining.
The Red Wolves completed the comeback in the 88th minute when Sean Urban scored at the 87:44 mark, giving IU East its first lead of the afternoon.
The three goals came in a span of just 4:06, turning a two-goal deficit into a one-goal advantage for the Red Wolves.
Midway was unable to find an equalizer in the closing minutes, suffering its first defeat since Sept. 7 against Saint Francis (Ind.).
IU East outshot the Eagles 19-14, including a 13-5 advantage in shots on goal. Both teams finished with six corner kicks.
George Spencer led Midway offensively with four shots, including three on goal. Sansone, Shearer, Dickson and Miles Ezell each recorded two shots.
Sorrell finished with 10 saves, his highest total of the season, while playing the entire match in goal for the Eagles.
Despite the loss, Midway's six-game winning streak established a new program record, surpassing the previous mark of five set in 2017. The Eagles also set a program record with their seven-game unbeaten streak, which began with a draw against Cleary on Sept. 11.
The Eagles will look to bounce back when they return to Midway Turf Field on Saturday for their next contest.
ABOUT MIDWAY UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Midway University competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and its 29 athletic teams are part of the River States Conference, Mid-South Conference, Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association and USA Archery. For more information about Midway University Athletics, please visit www.gomidwayeagles.com or contact Tyler Beck at 859-846-5366.
