PIKEVILLE – UPIKE men’s soccer is back to .500 after winning its second straight match on Sunday, defeating Point Park 2-1.
Things got chippy late with four bookings in the final 10 minutes as the Pioneers tried to erase UPIKE’s two-goal lead it built in the first half.
Eric Bernabue was responsible for both Bears goals. The first was a strike off a brilliant lob pass just inside the box from Tindur Asbjornsson in the seventh minute. He then added on with a 38th minute penalty kick after he was fouled by the Pioneers keeper in the box.
Both teams spent a decent amount of time in their respective attacking third, but the defenses hold strong to allow just 11 combined shots on goal – six from Point Park and five from UPIKE.
Point Park made strong runs early in the first half but was frequently found offside to halt any attempt before Pikeville got settled in.
The Pioneers cut the deficit to one with just over six minutes to go in part of a furious comeback attempt, but were unable to find a second goal before the final whistle.
Sunday’s win marks the first time since September of 2016 that UPIKE men’s soccer has been at or above .500.
The Bears will try to get a winning record on Wednesday in the first game of a men’s-women’s doubleheader against Brescia with kickoff scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at Bob Amos Park.
(Source: UPIKE Sports Information Office)