RedStorm, Cougars battle to draw in season opener

Rio Grande Sports Information
     CHICAGO, Ill. - Host Saint Xavier University spotted the University of Rio Grande a tie-breaking second half goal, but scored an equalizer of its own just over four minutes later as the two teams battled to a 1-1 deadlock in non-conference men's soccer action, Friday night, at Deaton Field.
     The contest was the season opener for both schools.
     After battling to a scoreless draw in the opening half, Rio Grande grabbed a 1-0 just over 12 minutes in the second stanza when sophomore Altan Sayar (Kreuzlingen, Switzerland) scored from five yards out on the rebound of his own shot, which riocheted off the right post.
     The Cougars knotted the score with 28:32 left to play when Fernando Barragan secured a long downfield pass out of the air and fired a shot past Rio graduate senior goal keeper Matheus de Campos (Brasilia, Brazil) and into the lower left corner of the net.
     Both teams managed two shots on goal the rest of the way, but neither was able to net the go-ahead marker.
     Rio Grande, which was ranked No.3 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25, finished with a 17-12 edge in shots overall and a 10-6 advantage in shots on frame.
     de Campos was credited with five saves in his debut effort for the RedStorm.
     Andres Zamora had eight saves in goal for Saint Xavier.
     Rio Grande was scheduled to play its home opener on Tuesday against Washington Adventist University, but the contest has been postponed while the teams attempt to reschedule later in the week.
     If the match turns out not to be played, the RedStorm would return to action on Aug. 29, at home, against Bluefield (Va.) University.