PIKEVILLE – For most of the game, UPIKE men’s soccer hung around with one of the top teams in the country. But nonetheless, No. 4 Lindsey Wilson left Pikeville with a 2-1 win on Tuesday despite UPIKE’s best upset efforts.
The Blue Raiders took an early lead after Karim Jouini knocked in a bouncing rebound off Bears goalkeeper Anibal Navarro’s hands in the ninth minute.
However, as time progressed and the UPIKE defense kept denying Lindsey Wilson, the Bears’ confidence grew exponentially.
UPIKE repeatedly got the ball in its offensive third, and finally got the ball toward the net as Eric Bernabeu juked a defender and had his chip shot saved. Aaron Aven then bounced the rebound off the post, then sent that rebound to the back of the net to tie the game at 1-1.
Aven’s goal marks the Bears’ first ever goal against the perennial powerhouse.
The game remained tied until Tyler Collishaw beat Navarro on a cross to give Lindsey Wilson the 2-1 halftime lead.
Both teams furiously tried to find an additional goal, including UPIKE missing just wide twice in the last ten minutes but the defenses stood pat.
Navarro made 10 saves in the contest to help keep the Bears close.
UP NEXT
UPIKE will get over a week off before facing Campbellsville at home on Oct. 17 at 4 p.m.
(Source: UPIKE Sports Information Office)