The Pitt-Greensburg men's soccer team remained unbeaten on the season Friday, battling Penn State Berks to a 3-3 draw in a match that took two days and two different sites to complete.
The contest originally kicked off Saturday at Ridilla Field in Greensburg, where the teams played to a 2-2 tie before the match was suspended early in the second half. Pitt-Greensburg and Penn State Berks reconvened Friday at Berks to complete the contest, with each side scoring once after the restart.
The unusual circumstances meant the Bobcats needed to be ready to play immediately upon resumption.
"It meant we had to be switched on right from the start and unfortunately it took us a bit too long to be settled, which cost us the goal against," Head Coach Marc Bucci said.
Pitt-Greensburg had opened the scoring Saturday when Caleb Kullen found the back of the net in the 21st minute off an assist from Cam Loveland. Penn State Berks answered at 28:39 on a goal from Terridine Grant to even the match at one.
The Bobcats regained the advantage late in the first half. Cooper Robson scored at 40:57 off an assist from Ryan Bogdon, putting UPG ahead 2-1. The lead lasted just over two minutes before Sebastian Rios responded for Berks at 43:19, sending the teams into halftime tied at two.
The match was eventually suspended early in the second half with the score still 2-2, leaving the remaining minutes to be completed Friday at Penn State Berks.
Upon the restart, Berks was the first to settle in. Gavin Dai scored in the 55th minute to give the Lions their first lead of the match, 3-2.
The Bobcats responded. After creating several opportunities, Caden Loveland delivered the equalizer at 77:21, finishing off an assist from Matt Armenio to bring Pitt-Greensburg level at 3-3.
UPG continued to search for a winner in the closing minutes, earning consecutive corner kicks and generating late attempts from Cam Loveland and Jake McClintock, but neither side could find the decisive goal.
The Bobcats finished with 12 shots, including five on goal, compared to 13 shots and seven on target for Berks. Pitt-Greensburg generated eight of its 12 attempts in the second half and committed just two fouls over the course of the match.
Kullen, Robson and Caden Loveland supplied the three UPG goals, while Cam Loveland, Bogdon and Armenio each registered an assist. Nick Braun made three saves in goal, with Kaleb Eddy adding another.
The draw moved Pitt-Greensburg to 2-0-2, with Bucci pointing to the Bobcats' ability to limit costly errors as an important part of their unbeaten start.
"We're minimizing the big mistakes that are leading directly to chances for our opponents, which is important," Bucci said. "This forces teams to work a bit more for their chances."
There will be little time for the Bobcats to dwell on Friday's result. Pitt-Greensburg makes the quick turnaround to face Gwynedd Mercy on Saturday, with maintaining its unbeaten start serving as another challenge for the group.
"I hope today's draw will motivate them enough to put in a better performance for a full 90," Bucci said. "Maintaining that undefeated record will be an important discussion each game and the standards that are needed to maintain this."
