New College of Florida Men's Soccer overcame a halftime deficit and played the final 13 minutes with 10 men before Cameron Johnson delivered an 89th-minute winner in Wednesday's 2-1 victory at Florida Memorial.
Darius Beckford scored the equalizer in his Mighty Banyan varsity debut, while Johnson netted his 10th goal of the season at the 88:47 mark.
NCF improved to 4-4-6 overall and 2-1-4 in Sun Conference play. The Mighty Banyans moved level with Florida Memorial in the race for fifth place with 10 points and now own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Lions.
HOW IT HAPPENED
NCF generated the first attempt of the match when Johnson had a shot blocked in the eighth minute.
Florida Memorial opened the scoring at the 10:29 mark. Vicente Silva delivered a corner kick that found Frank Sanchez, who converted the opportunity to give the Lions a 1-0 lead.
The Mighty Banyans began creating chances to equalize. Ducamel Jeannestin forced a save in the 27th minute, while Juan Leguizamon sent an attempt high later in the half.
NCF entered halftime trailing 1-0 despite holding a 5-3 advantage in shots.
The Mighty Banyans controlled the early stages of the second half. Jeannestin placed another attempt on goal in the 49th minute before Cuba Soerensen forced a save in the 55th.
Soerensen struck the post in the 62nd minute, and NCF earned a penalty kick moments later. Johnson's attempt went wide, keeping Florida Memorial ahead.
NCF continued to apply pressure and finally broke through at the 71:13 mark. Soerensen found Beckford, who scored in his Mighty Banyan varsity debut to level the match at 1-1.
The Mighty Banyans were reduced to 10 men following Jaden Williams' red card in the 78th minute but continued pushing forward. NCF earned four corner kicks over the next six minutes and remained dangerous despite the disadvantage.
The breakthrough arrived at the 88:47 mark. Sebastian Jimenez set up Johnson, who finished the opportunity for his 10th goal of the season and gave NCF its first lead of the afternoon.
The Mighty Banyans protected the advantage through the final whistle to secure three critical conference points.
THE TURNING POINT
NCF faced another setback when it was reduced to 10 men with the match tied in the 78th minute.
Instead of sitting back, the Mighty Banyans continued to attack. NCF earned four late corner kicks before Jimenez created the winning opportunity in the 89th minute.
Johnson converted the chance with 1:13 remaining, completing the comeback and moving NCF level with Florida Memorial in the conference standings.
BY THE NUMBERS
10
Conference points for NCF and goals scored by Johnson this season.
1
Varsity appearance and goal for Beckford, who scored in his Mighty Banyan debut.
17
Second-half shots attempted by NCF while controlling the closing 45 minutes.
11
Corner kicks earned by the Mighty Banyans, including nine after halftime.
88:47
Time of Johnson's game-winning goal.
STAT LEADERS
Goals: Darius Beckford - 1; Cameron Johnson - 1
Assists: Cuba Soerensen - 1; Sebastian Jimenez - 1
Shots: Ducamel Jeannestin - 7; Cameron Johnson - 3; Cuba Soerensen - 3; Angel Frias - 2; Matthew Dynarski - 2; Lawrence Walsh - 1; Andres Garcia - 1; Juan Gomez-Cuetara - 1; Juan Leguizamon - 1; Darius Beckford - 1
Shots on Goal: Ducamel Jeannestin - 3; Cuba Soerensen - 2; Cameron Johnson - 1; Matthew Dynarski - 1; Darius Beckford - 1
Goalkeeper: Henrique Furlan - 90 minutes, 1 goal allowed, 3 saves
UP NEXT: NCF will close the regular season next Wednesday by hosting Ave Maria for Senior Day at NCF Bayfront Field.
