AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University men's soccer team picked up their first point of the 2019 season on Saturday afternoon, thanks to a 4-4 draw with the Barons of Brewton-Parker College at Gyrene Field. The teams remained tied through 110 minutes of action, which included a pair of ten minute overtime periods.
Ave Maria quickly took the lead in the seventh minute, thanks to a familiar face. Just over six minutes into the contest, junior Kensley Jean Baptiste broke through the BPC defense, and slotted a shot past Baron goalkeeper Jamir Stewart. The 17th goal of Jean Baptiste's AMU career extended the Immokalee native's school record, and gave the Gyrenes a 1-0 lead.
Brewton-Parker answered with the next two goals to take their first lead in the first half. Ermin Omeragic tied the game on a goal in the 13th minute, putting one in the back of the net on an assist from Malik Wilkes. Then, in the 38th minute, the Barons took the lead when a rebounded shot found the foot of Timothy Martin, who scored to provide a 2-1 lead to Brewton-Parker.
In the closing moments of the first half, AMU tied the game at two on the second goal of the afternoon by Jean Baptiste, a free kick that was deflected by the goalie before being placed home. The Gyrenes then retook the lead in the 52nd minute, when a Gyrene free kick bounced around the box and eventually was sent into the net by Hernando Valencia-Parra for his second goal of the season.
The Barons again scored back-to-back goals to reclaim the lead. Brewton-Parker tied the game in the 57th minute when a long pass from Junior Nyamunda found Nathan Skraggs, who placed it past the goalkeeper. The Barons took a 4-3 lead in the 66th minute, following a foul by the Gyrene goalkeeper. GianMarco Centrella buried the penalty kick to give the lead back to BPC.
Jean Baptiste capped off a career day, which saw him attempt nine total shots and seven shots on goal, in the 78th minute. After being fouled in the penalty box, the junior converted on the ensuing penalty kick, tying the contest at four for his second career hat trick. Neither team could score in the final ten minutes of regulation, and 20 minutes of extra time could not break the stalmate, either.
Between the two teams, 36 shots were attempted - 23 by the Gyrenes and 13 by the Barons. Of the 23 shots by the Gyrenes, eleven were on goal. The game was also a hotly contested affair, with 31 total fouls whistled and six yellow cards handed out.
AMU's next home contest will come on Thursday night against Briar Cliff University from Iowa at Gyrene Field. The matchup is part of another men's and women's doubleheader, with kickoff of the women's game against Florida College set for 5:00 p.m. The men's team is set to kick off following the conclusion of the women's game.
