HUNTINGTON, Ind. – Freshman Milton Alfaro netted his first collegiate goal in the 80th minute as the No. 12-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College men’s soccer team rallied for a 1-1 draw against Huntington University (Ind.) on Saturday evening – concluding a season-opening weekend of matches in Indiana.
Alfaro squared the match when he drilled a shot into the top corner of the goal.
Huntington (0-0-1), which received votes in the NAIA preseason poll, netted the first goal of the contest on a breakaway by Noah Fleming in the 29th minute.
The Grizzlies (1-0-1) had numerous scoring chances in the match. Sophomore Gianmaria Fiore hit the goal crossbar with a shot from the corner in the opening minutes. Then, a long-distance shot by junior Toni Tiente connected with the post midway through the first half.
Freshman James Forster just missed the goal with a shot in the 70th minute as the Grizzlies searched for the tying goal. That finally came with Alfaro’s goal with just 10 minutes left in regulation.
Saturday’s match marked a return to Huntington for Head Coach Steve DeCou, who began his coaching career leading the Foresters from 2000-03.
Coach’s Corner
“We created chances today and had several possessions, but at the end of the day it ended up as a draw. Different players stepped up today. They (Huntington) capitalized on their scoring chance in a counter. We need to put together a full 90 minutes to get the result we need. Milton’s goal was top class and I am pleased that he got on the scoreboard, for how he played today,” said Head Coach Steve DeCou.
Turning Point
The visitors had plenty of chances to find the back of the net. The Grizzlies hit the crossbar and the post during the first half. Then, freshman James Forster just missed the goal with a scoring chance with 20 minutes remaining in the match. It took until the 80th minute before GGC squared the match on a shot from freshman Milton Alfaro.
Goals
29’ – Noah Fleming, HU (Caleb Sexton)
80’ – Milton Alfaro, GGC (unassisted)
Inside The Numbers
- GGC outshot Huntington by a 22-to-8 margin
- Junior Toni Tiente attempted a match-high six shots for the Grizzlies
- The Grizzlies recorded nine corner kicks
- Twelve different GGC players attempted a shot in the 110-minute match
News & Notes
- GGC stands 1-0-1 on the season after beating Goshen College Thursday night in the opener of the Indiana road trip; Huntington opened the 2019 season
- Georgia Gwinnett College was ranked No. 12 in the NAIA preseason poll; Huntington was receiving votes
- Saturday’s match marked the first meeting between the two programs
- The Grizzlies were 2-0-1 in overtime matches last season
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College plays its home opener Tuesday, Aug. 27, at 7 p.m. against Bryan College (Tenn.) at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.