CONWAY – The No. 18 Coastal Carolina men’s soccer team used a ferocious late-game comeback to tie Bowling Green at the end of regulation before playing to a 3-3 draw after 110 minutes of action in the final game of the annual Coastal Carolina University Invitational at the CCU Soccer Field on Sunday afternoon.

Tie ties moves the Chanticleers to 3-1-2 (1-0-0, Big South) on the season, while Bowling Green leaves the Palmetto State with a 1-2-2 (0-0-0, Mid-American) mark. Wofford, who defeated Florida Atlantic 2-1 in the day’s first contest, claimed the tournament title with a 2-0-0 record. Coastal finished as runner-up with a 1-0-1 mark followed by Bowling Green (0-1-1) and Florida Atlantic (0-2-0). Wofford’s Alex Hutchins was named the tournament MVP.

Trailing 3-2 with under a minute to play in regulation, head coach Shaun Docking inserted forward Tevin Skyers into the game in an attempt to get as many offensive threats as possible on the field as possible. And the late substitution paid off 18 seconds later as midfielder Jhamie Hyde blasted the game-tying goal into the back of the net.  Hyde’s first-career scoring strike followed a Robby Joe Daniels throw in from the right sideline. Daniels long throw was initially knocked away by the Bowling Green defense; however, the ball deflected directly to the foot of Hyde who uncorked his shot from near the top of the box.

Following a relatively clam first overtime period, Coastal applied their trademark offensive pressure in the second extra period resulting in several near goals. The first opportunity came after a Justin Portillo shot from the left side was saved, but not covered by the Falcon goalkeeper.  The ball trickled to the foot of Jakub Stourac who booted the ball just over the crossbar.  A minute later Rick Garbanzo nearly found the game winner with a header off a well-placed cross. Unfortunately Garbanzo’s shot attempt clanked off the crossbar.

Bowling Green got the scoring started in the 12th minute of the game as Danny Baraldi launched a shot from 18 yards out to the right post on a Falcon counter attack.

Starting the second half down a goal the first time this season, the Chanticleers quickly found the equalizer nine minutes into the period off the head of Daniels. Henrik Robstad initiated the play with a free kick service from the left side. Daniels elevated above the Falcon defense to head home his first score of the season.

However, the Chants would again fall behind 25 seconds later as Baraldi scored his second goal of the match after an assist from Ryan James.

Senior midfielder Sean McCormick would knot the game for the second time with his first goal of the season.  This time it was Portillo, who earned all-tournament honors, with the assist on a cross in the goal box. The Bowling Green keeper was unable to hang on to Portillo’s service leaving McCormick with an easy shot on the open net.

Just as they had on their first goal the Falcons took full advantage of a counter opportunity to regain the lead at 3-2 with less than 21 minutes to play. This time it was Ryan James would found the back of the Chanticleer net from nine yards away. Vlad Lekarev provided the assist on the play.

Coastal would pressure forward and unleash six more shots over the ensuing 20 minutes before Hyde’s 90th-minute equalizer.

When the final horn sounded the Chanticleers held an impressive 36-11 advantage in shot, including a 13-4 margin in shots on goal, and a 9-3 edge in corner opportunities.  

Joining Portillo on the all-tournament team from Coastal were Uchenna Uzo and Ashton Bennett. Uzo played an instrumental part in along the Chanticleer backline that limited its opposition to only 16 shots over the two games. Bennett finished the tournament with a goal and nine shots with five falling on frame.

The Chanticleers will take the week to regroup before hosting Southern Conference foe Elon on Friday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. In the sides’ last meeting, Coastal defeated Elon 4-3 in a thrilling game in the first round of the 2011 NCAA Tournament.

Coastal Carolina University Invitational Results
Bowling Green 0, Wofford 1
Coastal Carolina 2, Florida Atlantic 0
Wofford 2, Florida Atlantic 1
Coastal Carolina 3, Bowling Green 3 (2OT)

All-Tournament Team
Alex Hutchins, Wofford - MVP
Ryan Hurst, Wofford
Nestor Jaramillo, Wofford
Billy Padula, Wofford
Uchenna Uzo, Coastal Carolina
Justin Portillo, Coastal Carolina
Ashton Bennett, Coastal Carolina
Danny Daraldi, Bowling Green
Ryan James, Bowling Green
Karol Chorck, Florida Atlantic
Jeremy Crumpton, Florida Atlantic

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