New College of Florida Men's Soccer erased a two-goal halftime deficit before Southeastern scored in the closing minutes to hand the Mighty Banyans a 4-3 Sun Conference loss Saturday.
NCF trailed 3-1 at halftime but pulled even behind second-half goals from Micah Nelson and Angel Frias. Cameron Johnson assisted on both goals as the Mighty Banyans completed the comeback in the 77th minute.
Southeastern reclaimed the lead less than five minutes later and held off NCF over the closing minutes. The Mighty Banyans moved to 3-4-6 overall and 1-1-4 in conference play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Southeastern produced the first shot on goal less than a minute into the match, but Henrique Furlan made the save.
NCF struck first at the 10:34 mark. Nelson and Cuba Soerensen combined to set up Ducamel Jeannestin, who finished the opportunity for his seventh goal of the season and gave the Mighty Banyans a 1-0 lead.
The Fire answered with a penalty-kick goal from Tomas Gomes in the 15th minute before Koren Klein scored at the 18:43 mark to put Southeastern ahead 2-1.
Thomas Hardouin extended the Fire's advantage in the 32nd minute, sending NCF into halftime facing a 3-1 deficit.
The Mighty Banyans immediately increased their pressure after the break. Nelson placed a shot on goal in the 47th minute before NCF earned a corner kick less than three minutes later.
NCF cut the deficit to one at the 62:44 mark. Johnson found Nelson, who scored his second goal of the season to make it a 3-2 match.
The comeback was completed in the 77th minute. Johnson created another opportunity, setting up Frias for his fourth goal of the season and the 3-3 equalizer.
Southeastern responded at the 81:23 mark when Pablo Lobon scored the eventual game-winner.
NCF continued to search for another equalizer. Nelson sent an attempt high in the 86th minute before Dante Pinoargote forced a save from Noah Murray-Hawkins with just over three minutes remaining.
THE TURNING POINT
NCF completed its comeback when Frias scored at the 76:46 mark, erasing a two-goal halftime deficit and tying the match at 3-3.
The Mighty Banyans remained level for less than five minutes before Lobon scored at the 81:23 mark to restore Southeastern's lead.
NCF generated two more attempts over the closing minutes but could not produce a second equalizer.
BY THE NUMBERS
2
Second-half assists recorded by Johnson as NCF erased a 3-1 halftime deficit.
4
Goals scored by Frias this season following his 77th-minute equalizer.
7
Goals recorded by Jeannestin this season.
15
Shots attempted by the Mighty Banyans, including 10 during the second half.
81:23
Time of Southeastern's deciding goal.
STAT LEADERS
Goals: Ducamel Jeannestin - 1; Micah Nelson - 1; Angel Frias - 1
Assists: Cameron Johnson - 2; Micah Nelson - 1; Cuba Soerensen - 1; Angel Frias - 1
Shots: Jaden Williams - 3; Micah Nelson - 3; Cameron Johnson - 2; Ducamel Jeannestin - 2; Cuba Soerensen - 1; Angel Frias - 1; Juan Gomez-Cuetara - 1; Juan Palomino - 1; Dante Pinoargote - 1
Shots on Goal: Micah Nelson - 2; Cameron Johnson - 1; Ducamel Jeannestin - 1; Angel Frias - 1; Dante Pinoargote - 1
Goalkeeper: Henrique Furlan - 90 minutes, 4 goals allowed, 4 saves
UP NEXT: NCF will continue Sun Conference play Wednesday with a 1 p.m. road match at Florida Memorial.
