MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Faulkner made the short trip to take on cross-town rival and Southern States Athletic Conference foe Auburn Montgomery Saturday afternoon. The No. 12 Warhawks were trying to catapult themselves into third place in the league standings with a win over the Eagles, but despite giving up a penalty kick early, the visitors refused to go away. Faulkner finally shook the net with just over five minutes to play and the 1-1 tie held through double overtime.

"This was huge for us," said head coach Brett Mitchell. "I'm so proud of our guys. We were playing men down again, but that's something that, unfortunately, we just had to get used to this year. They really picked things up in the second half and never let up and it was a great way to end the season."

Wilfred Mitchell and Joe Hastings were among the starters that were taken out of the lineup due to injuries suffered in Friday's practice. The Eagles have been plagued with problems since the preseason when goalkeeper Pritchard Ndaira suffered an arm injury. Things have slowly, but consistently, continued to pile up ever since.

The first half of the game was somewhat choppy for Faulkner and it bit the Eagles when a mild collision set up a penalty kick in the 25th minute. Goffin Boyoko knocked the shot by Austin White to give AUM the 1-0 lead.

Deep in the second period Faulkner was awarded a free kick and Brighton Masuka forewent the traditional boot into the box and instead made a quick feed to Johann Klausen who took the ball near the goal line. Once in the clear, Klausen offered a beautiful cross to Munashe Boriwondo who smashed a world-class header by the keeper for the tie.

Both teams would find opportunities in extended play, but with no golden goal after a pair of overtimes, the event ended in a stalemate.

"White was outstanding," Mitchell added. "He was just about everywhere and this could easily have been the best performance of this career, even if the stats don't agree. I don't think I've ever seen him be this athletic."

White logged 10 saves on the day and allowed one goal.

Vignir Johannesson also had a solid day in the net for the Warkhawks. The keeper was injured early on when he dove head first into the post after making an excellent save over the frame. Johannesson later returned and secured four saves and allowed a single goal.

The Warhawks recorded a staggering 32 shots and put 11 on frame. Faulkner posted only five shots, but all were on target.

Faulkner closed the year with a final record of 4-10-2 (2-9-1/SSAC). 

Although the Eagles produced four wins, including an outstanding victory over a very talented Spring Hill (RV) team, it was Saturday's tie with No. 12 AUM that means the most. For the seniors it was a bitter sweet farewell. For the players that will return, it was a realization of how far the team has come and a glimpse of what is possible.

"If we can play every game like we did the last 65 minutes today," said Mitchell, "we'd finally be where we've known we could be for so long."