NEWBERRY - The Newberry men's soccer team forced NSCAA/adidas #25 Lander University to a 2-2 tie in two overtimes this evening at the Newberry Soccer Complex.  Two second half goals kept the Indians in the game, but they were unable to convert on several prime shot attempts late in the game.  Although Newberry started off somewhat slow, they responded and picked up the intensity in the second half and in both overtime periods.

"We can't miss chances like we did tonight," stated head coach Sam Okpodu. "The effort and commitment was great, but we have to finish in order to get where we want to go.  We missed two open shots in front of the goal tonight.  I hope we can bounce back for our next game."

Both teams were on the verge of making things happen early in the game, but any real attacks on the goal were quickly shut down by the opposing team's defense.  After controlling the ball early, Lander finally got on the board when Carlos Lozano (Tulua, Columbia) headed a cross from a streaking Tyler Davis (Greenwood, S.C.) up and over Newberry keeper Bryan Linn (Safety Harbor, Fla.) in the 22nd minute.  Despite limited ball control, the Indians had a couple of opportunities late in the half but couldn't get the equalizer. 

The Indians showed some strong character by coming out ready to play early in the second half.  Although the game was very physical (36 fouls were called), the Indians battled through and put the tying goal in the net when senior Ricardo Silveira (Sao Paulo, Brazil) sent a corner kick sailing into the box.  The ball was headed up by a group of people allowing freshman Jeff Bell (Johnston, S.C.) time to head it over Bearcat keeper Ryan Peck (Lilburn, Ga.) in the 59th minute.  Shortly after the Indian score, freshman Michael Cotton (Clemson, S.C.), who assisted on the Newberry goal, missed a wide open net with two shot attempts when Peck came off his line.

The Indians kept the pressure on and Bell stayed hot as Newberry netted the go-ahead goal in the 64th minute.  Silveira took a long free kick from the Lander side of the field that ended up in the path of Bell, who knocked the ball off his body and to the right of a diving Peck.  Linn finished the game with seven saves and several good keeper clears before freshman goalie Will Dieterich (Tampa, Fla.), who notched five saves, entered the game.  Bearcat goalie Peck recorded three saves on the match.

Lander's second goal came minutes after Linn''s exit when Luke Ibbetson (York, England) buried a pass from Zach Ducey (Evans, Ga.) to the right of an extended Dieterich in the 81st minute.  Neither team could get anything together for the remainder of regulation. 

The overtime periods portrayed a story of missed opportunities by the Indians.  The Newberry men had several chances to capitalize, but couldn't hit the back of the net.  With two minutes left in the second overtime period, the Indians were pressuring, but forward Troy Pinckney (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) sent a shot sailing high from 10 yards out.  The Indians, who were out shot 24-16, turned it on late in the game, but it wasn't enough to prevail over their nationally ranked opponent. 

With the tie, the Indians fall to 1-2-1 overall and 1-1-0 in conference play.  The Bearcats also pick up their first tie of the season and currently sit at 4-1-1 overall.

Next up for the Indians is match at Mars Hill College on September 17 at 1 p.m.  Lander stays on the road as they travel to Queens for a 2 p.m. game also on September 17.