August 31, 2009

RedStorm soccer rebounds with comeback win

Chicago, Ill. --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm men's soccer team, ranked No. 2 in the NAIA pre-season poll, battled back after a slow start to capture a 3-2 victory over Illinois Tech on Saturday night to even up their mark at 1-1.

Rio Grande (1-1) scored all three goals in the second half to pick win number one on the season. 

Illinois Tech (0-2) took a 1-0 lead with a goal in the 40^th minute and took that advantage to halftime. 

The RedStorm quickly tied the game up in the second half when freshman forward Scott Bibby (Doncaster, England) notched the first goal of the season for Rio in the 47^th minute. Bibby was assisted by junior mid-fielder Chris Anderson (Lancaster, England). It was the first two assists for Anderson and the first of two goals for Bibby on the game.

The Scarlett Hawks regained the lead at 2-1 in the 53^rd minute and looked as if they would hold on for the win, but the RedStorm found the back of the net twice in the final five minutes to win the game.

Sophomore mid-fielder Sam Fairhurst (Wigan, England) tied the score in the 85^th minute. He was assisted by Bibby . 

Anderson and Bibby teamed up again in the 87^th minute to send the RedStorm out in front for good. 

Sophomore goalkeeper Jordan Lower (South Webster, OH) recorded two saves for Rio Grande.

"We played about 45 minutes of soccer the entire weekend," said Rio Grande head coach Scott Morrissey. "But, once we got going we dominated the second half."

Next up, Rio Grande will travel to Cedarville, September 11-12, to face Mid-Continent and Bryan College respectively in the Dave Jones Memorial Classic.