Tigers draw in conference opener

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University men's soccer team was forced to play extra time for the third time this season as they drew, 1-1 against Dordt University in a Great Plains Athletic Conference showdown Wednesday at the Pepsi-Cola Soccer Complex in Mitchell.

 The game got off to a quick start for the Tigers (1-2-2, 0-0-1 GPAC) as they saw three shots on goal in the opening 20 minutes of play.

 DWU recorded eight total shots in the first half but was unable to find the back of the net. The Defenders (3-2-2, 1-0-1 GPAC) finished the first half with four shots but also could not score as the teams headed to halftime with a 0-0 tie.

 In the 55^th minute, Edgar Meza (Spearfish, S.D.) broke the scoring draught as he nailed a shot on goal to put DWU up 1-0. The Tigers played tough defense for 29 minutes following the goal, but it was not enough as the Defenders tied the game in the 83^rd minute.

 In the first extra time period, Dordt recorded the only shot but it was saved by Matthew Campbell (Duluth, Minn.). In the second extra time stanza, the Defenders finished with two corner kicks and two shots, but the Tiger defense held Dordt out of the goal as the game completed in a draw.

 Meza tallied a goal on two shots, while Ronaldo Acosta (Half Moon Bay, Calif.) recorded five shots and one shot on goal. DWU finished with 17 shots compared to nine from Dordt, as Campbell snagged two saves on three shots on goal.

 DWU takes on (RV) Morningside College in a GPAC tilt at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday in Sioux City, Iowa.