Ripon, WI, 9/10/21 – The Blue Jays men's soccer team went on the road hoping to build off their last effort. They did just that, although for 88 minutes it looked like they would suffer the same fate as their previous two games. Two goals in the last two minutes would rally the Blue Jays to a 2-2 draw on the road in Wisconsin against the Ripon College Red Hawks.
The Blue Jays controlled the game as they outshot their hosts 17-7 overall and 13-6 in shots on goal. The Jays even held a commanding 13-1 advantage on corner kicks. The game was called tightly with Westminster committing 27 fouls to Ripon's 23.
Despite only getting six shots on goal the Red Hawks were able to capitalize twice once in the 27th minute. Then they struck again in the 82nd minute off of a set piece on a free kick 20 yards in front of the goal. Down 2-0 with only eight minutes left, things did not look good for the Blue Jays. It turns out, they were just getting started.
In the 89th minute with Westminster doing what it had done all game, put pressure on Ripon, they were rewarded. The ball was played into the box by Westminster and after it bounced around in there it eventually found the feet of junior midfielder Freddy Nene (Columbia, MO / Rock Bridge) who beat the keeper to cut the lead in half at 2-1 with only 1:50 to play in the match. The Blue Jays wasted no time in coming right back at the Red Hawks. With 1:16 left to play the ball found the feet of Nene again inside the box and as he was making his move he was tackled from behind resulting in a penalty kick for the Blue Jays. Head Coach Adam Galla called upon his senior defender Barrett Smith (Columbia, MO / Rock Bridge) to take the PK and he would bury it to tie the score!
The two teams would then battle through two ten-minute overtimes before settling for a 2-2 draw. sophomore goalkeeper Conner Benefield (Wentzville, MO / Timberland) would start in goal for the Blue Jays and go the full 110 minutes while making four saves.
The Blue Jays return to action on Tuesday September 14th as they begin conference play traveling to the St. Louis Soccer Park to take on Webster University in a 7:00 p.m. showdown.
