WILMINGTON, N.C. -
Andy McDaniel's goal in the 77th minute rallied UNCW from a two-goal halftime deficit
as the Seahawks forged a 2-all draw with visiting Towson on Saturday in a
Colonial Athletic Association men's soccer match at the UNCW Soccer Stadium.
The Seahawks posted their fourth consecutive draw and moved
their record to 7-4-4 overall and 3-1-4 in the league. The Tigers ran their
mark to 8-4-2 and 2-4-2.
Towson broke through in the first half and built a 2-0 lead
at the half. Joe O'Rouke scored early in the 13th minute when he fired a shot
inside the right post off a feed from Olakunle Banjo. Banjo settled a cross
from the right side, beat his defender and fed O'Rourke from 16 yards out.
Banjo set up the second goal as well when he sent a low hard
through pass to Marco Mangione on the left side. Mangione took one touch and
tucked his shot inside the far right post too.
Trailing by two goals, UNCW senior Nassim Berhouni cut the
deficit in half when he beat Towson goalkeeper John Steele on a penalty kick
in the 51st minute. A Towson defender was whistled for a hand ball in the box,
setting up the penalty.
McDaniel's goal was his first of the season and drew UNCW
level at the 76:56 mark. Sophomore Thomas Driver intercepted a pass on the
right side and sent a low cross into the box. McDaniel beat his defender to
the cross and flicked his shot past a diving Steele for the equalizer.
UNCW held a 21-6 advantage in shots, including a 6-1 lead in
overtime. UNCW's best chance to win was in the second overtime when Etienne
Boulanger beat Steele with a shot from 13 yards out, but Roslin Nzokou was able
to head the ball of the line and out of play to keep the game tied.
Despite the abundance of shots for UNCW, Steele was only
called on twice to make saves while Brock Duckworth, his opposite for the
Seahawks, made one save.
Bernouni's penalty kick goal was the first for the Seahawks
this season and halted a scoreless skid of 499:51 minutes. UNCW's last goal
previous was scored by Boulanger in the 61st minute against James Madison on
Oct. 6.
The Seahawks close out their regular season with a
three-game road swing beginning on Oct. 27 at William & Mary. The Tigers
also return to action the same day when they visit Delaware. Both games are set
for 7 p.m. kickoffs.