Faulkner University

No. 16 AUM edges Faulkner 2-1 in second half rally

Faulkner keeper Austin White makes a save in the first half

November 4

Faulkner’s men’s soccer team did something today it had never done before; lead Southern States Athletic Conference rival Auburn University Montgomery. The Eagles took a 1-0 lead just before the break and left a stunned visiting team searching for answers. Despite aggressive defense by the Eagles and an exceptional performance by keeper Austin White, the No. 16 Senators were able to find the back of the net twice in the second period to secure the 2-1 victory.

Wilfred Mitchell strikes true to give the Eagles the 1-0 lead

Tyler Umstead and Sidaly Toure greet Mitchell after the score

The Eagles played a significant amount of defense in this afternoon’s contest, but with less than a minute to play in the first half, Faulkner’s Wilfred Mitchell drove a high kick past AUM’s keeper, Kile Kennedy, for the score. The shot traveled high pinging off the corner of the frame before bouncing into the net.

AUM's Kile Kennedy stares into the goal in disbelief

It was only the second time in Faulkner’s six-year history that it had scored against AUM. The last goal came in the Eagles’ 4-1 loss to the Senators in 2007.

During the break fans could hear cheering and excitement emanating from the Eagles’ locker room and the home team took the field determined to secure the upset.

Munashe Boriwondo wins a header near midfield in the first half

For 20 minutes the birds held strong, thwarting countless attacks by the AUM offense. Then, it happened; Arnar Thordarson ripped a goal into the open half of the net off of a rebound in the box to tie the game.

Though Faulkner spent most of the half backed into defensive play, the Eagles were able to produce a few runs including a very close attempt late in the period. Rodrigo Pontes broke free on a well-placed ball and looked to have an empty net to himself after Kennedy challenged and missed. The momentum of the passed ball was too strong however, and rolled out of bounds taunting the closing freshman.

Rodrigo Pontes chases the free ball near an open goal in the second period

With five minutes to play, AUM’s Sveinn Jonsson drilled a header in for the team’s second goal. It too came off of a rebound in the box.

The Eagles were unable to produce offensively in the remaining minutes and watched their hopes for the program’s first conference victory slip away.

White had an outstanding day stopping 16 AUM shots and allowing only two goals. In all the Senators had 25 shots with 18 on goal.

Austin White grabs another shot out of the air in the first half

Faulkner was limited to only six shots in the contest, but five were on frame. Mitchell’s goal came off an assist by Munashe Boriwondo.

The Eagles closed the regular season with an overall record of 5-11, the best finish in program history. The Eagles will travel to Marietta, Ga., on Friday to take on regular season SSAC champion Southern Poly in the opening round of the conference tournament. The event is schedulded for 1 p.m. CST.

Eagles knock off Hawks 4-1

Rodrigo Pontes rips this one past the keeper for the score

October 30

Faulkner’s men’s soccer team returned to Huntingdon College again this season to take on their cross-town rival this afternoon. The two teams faced off at Huntingdon last year where the Hawks dominated the Eagles in a 6-1 blow out. The roll was reversed this time around however, as the Eagles disrupted the home team’s Senior Night with a 4-1 knock out.

Things looked troublesome for the Eagles early on as the home team put a shot away for the 1-0 lead just 24 minutes into the game. Faulkner responded with an unassisted goal by forward Rodrigo Pontes to tie the event heading into the break. It was the beginning of a stellar day for the freshman out of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Finally; senior midfielder Trent Dotson socres his first collegiate goal against the Hawks

The back and forth battle continued into the second half with neither team making good on a shot until Trent Dotson, Faulkner’s senior midfielder, struck true on an assist from Ale Padoveze. The Hawks’ keeper was distracted by a leaping Munashe Boriwondo allowing Dotson to score. The point not only gave the Eagles the lead, but marked the first collegiate goal for the senior from Mt. Dora, Florida.

Manuel Zapata and Rodrigo Pontes try to connect on this run

Pontes returned to work for the Eagles finding the back of the net in the 72nd minute of the match. The goal came off of an assist by Boriwondo. Pontes rocked the net again just five minutes later for the event’s final score, this time on an assist from Tyler Umstead.

In all, the Eagles produced 18 shots, putting 10 on frame and landing four. Faulkner keeper Austin White had two saves and allowed a single goal.

Lucas Alves heads a ball down field toward his teammates

The Eagles return to conference play for their final match of the season against No. 16 Auburn University Montgomery. The contest is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Dalraida field on Wednesday, Nov. 4.