LEXINGTON, Va. – The third-ranked Washington and Lee men's soccer team surrendered two second-half goals to drop a 2-1 decision at home against Catholic on Sunday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Generals (0-2) claimed an initial lead in the game in the 15th minute, when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the goal box following a foul. Senior
Lucas Pleasants took the chance and fired a shot underneath a leaping wall of defenders and past the diving keeper for the 1-0 advantage. The game remained 1-0 at the half, with W&L keeper
Will Joseph making a pair of saves to keep the Cardinals (1-1) off the board.
Through the first 13 minutes of the second half, both teams tried their luck on goal with two shots apiece, but none found the back of the net. In the 62nd minute, the Cardinals equalized when Azaria Tewodros found Holden Woodings inside the box for the team's first score. The Generals found themselves with the next best chance of the game in the 78th minute, but a
Weyimi Agbeyegbe shot from inside the penalty spot was stopped by Owen Allegro.
In the 79th minute, Catholic moved in front by a goal when a free kick taken on the left side by Hayden Lim was headed past Joseph and inside the right post by Owen Maher.
The Generals' offense generated four shots over the final 11 minutes to try getting the game back even. Agbeyegbe shot from the top of the box in the 81st minute, and tried once more seconds later after his initial attempt was blocked, but he sailed his second try high. Pleasants then put two shots on goal in the 85th and 88th minutes, but Allegro made the stop both times.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Pleasants' goal in the 15th minute was the seventh of his career, and it was his third free-kick goal since the start of last season. Agbeyegbe led the offense with four shot attempts, while Pleasants' three shots on goal were a team best. Joseph played all 90 minutes in the W&L goal and made four saves.
For the Cardinals, Woodings matched Pleasants' line of a goal on three shots and three on goal. Maher's goal was his only shot of the game, while Tewodros and Lim both picked up an assist after coming off the bench. James Pickeral started in goal for Catholic, but was relieved by Allegro at halftime after making one save. Allegro was credited with the win and made three stops.
TEAM STATS:
W&L earned five corner kicks and held a 3-0 edge at the half. The Cardinals took four, all in the second half. The Blue and White also outshot the visitors in both halves and by an overall count of 11-8.
UP NEXT:
The Generals will hit the road for their next two games, the first of which comes on Friday at Sewanee at 8:30 p.m. ET, 7:30 p.m. CT.
Nestled in the mountains of Virginia, Washington and Lee University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Founded in 1749, W&L is the ninth-oldest college in the United States and a top-ranked liberal arts university. With over 500 student-athletes in 24 varsity sports, the Generals have celebrated over 265 conference championships. Learn more about the Blue and White by visiting www.generalssports.com or on social media at @WLUGenerals.
