New College of Florida Men's Soccer held a halftime lead over No. 2 Georgia Gwinnett before falling 5-2 Saturday at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.
The Mighty Banyans (0-2) struck just 57 seconds into the match behind Cameron Johnson's first goal of the season. After Georgia Gwinnett pulled even, Juan Gomez-Cuetara restored NCF's advantage in the 36th minute to send the Mighty Banyans into halftime ahead 2-1.
The Grizzlies responded with four unanswered goals in the second half, including two during the opening six minutes, to complete the comeback.
HOW IT HAPPENED
NCF wasted little time taking the lead against the second-ranked Grizzlies.
Ducamel Jeannestin found Johnson in the opening minute, and the sophomore converted the opportunity to put the Mighty Banyans ahead 1-0 just 57 seconds into the match.
Johnson nearly doubled the advantage in the 13th minute, but his second attempt was stopped by Georgia Gwinnett goalkeeper Dagoberto Romero.
The Grizzlies pulled even in the 23rd minute when Ousmane Fall scored off assists from Pedro Nunes and Amadou Diop.
NCF responded less than 13 minutes later. Gomez-Cuetara, who entered the match in the 34th minute, found the back of the net at the 35:01 mark to restore the Mighty Banyans' lead.
Cooper Kambak and the NCF defense protected the advantage through the remainder of the opening half, sending the Mighty Banyans into the break ahead 2-1.
Georgia Gwinnett quickly changed the match after halftime. Fall scored his second goal of the afternoon in the 49th minute to tie the match before JJ Grimaldo put the Grizzlies ahead 3-2 less than two minutes later.
The Grizzlies had an opportunity to extend their lead from the penalty spot between the two goals, but Fall sent the attempt wide.
Kambak kept NCF within one with saves in the 51st and 58th minutes. The Mighty Banyans remained within striking distance until Georgia Gwinnett added goals from Nunes and Santino Mazzoni 21 seconds apart in the 79th minute.
Angel Frias placed NCF's final shot on goal in the 80th minute, while Sebastian Jimenez sent the Mighty Banyans' final attempt wide in the 87th.
THE TURNING POINT
NCF carried a 2-1 advantage into halftime, but Georgia Gwinnett erased the deficit during the opening six minutes of the second half.
Fall tied the match at the 48:20 mark before Grimaldo scored the go-ahead goal just 1:54 later.
The two-goal swing gave the Grizzlies their first lead and turned NCF's halftime advantage into a 3-2 deficit.
BY THE NUMBERS
13
Fouls drawn by the Mighty Banyans.
12
Fouls committed by NCF.
11
Corner kicks earned by Georgia Gwinnett.
7
Shots recorded by the Mighty Banyans.
4
NCF shots placed on goal.
STAT LEADERS
Goals: Cameron Johnson - 1; Juan Gomez-Cuetara - 1
Assists: Ducamel Jeannestin - 1
Shots: Cameron Johnson - 2; Ducamel Jeannestin - 2; Angel Frias - 1; Juan Gomez-Cuetara - 1; Sebastian Jimenez - 1
Shots on Goal: Cameron Johnson - 2; Angel Frias - 1; Juan Gomez-Cuetara - 1
Goalkeeper: Cooper Kambak - 90 minutes, 5 goals allowed, 4 saves
UP NEXT: NCF will remain in Lawrenceville to take on RV Dalton State in a neutral-site match Monday at 2 p.m. EST.
