OWENSBORO, KY - After what was possibly the longest unofficial halftime in Kentucky Wesleyan soccer history, the Panthers came out with a 2-2 draw with Cedarville after the second half was played on Tuesday morning. Originally played on Wednesday night, an extended lightning delay forced the game to be postponed with the Yellow Jackets holding on to a 2-1 halftime lead. 

Kentucky Wesleyan moves to 4-2-4 (1-2-3 G-MAC) while Cedarville now sits at 5-2-3 (2-1-3 G-MAC). 

Played on Wednesday, the Panthers looked good early, with some great forward movement leading to a penalty kick for Calum Newson. Newson calmly put the ball in the back of the net to give Wesleyan a 1-0 lead just eight minutes in. After most of the early part of the game was controlled by the home side, Cedarville turned the tide and scored in the 31st minute to tie things up at one. That goal gave the Yellow Jackets a spark, and they closed the half by converting a late penalty kick to go into the break up 1-0. 

After a six-day break due to the lightning and schedule conflicts, the second half was played at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. This final 45 was a defensive battle, with nearly all eight of Cedarville's shots coming from outside the 18, and Wesleyan struggling to just get a shot off. During an offensive run for the Panthers, Matteo Napoletano found Calum Newson on the outside, who drove down and crossed it in the box. A Cedarville defender stuck his leg out attempting to block the cross, but during the attempt accidently knocked the ball into his own net, tying the game a 2-2. About four minutes later, Cedarville was granted another penalty kick. Goalie Arthur Hill stepped up to the plate, saving the penalty to keep the game knotted at two. No team was able to net a goal in the final 10 minutes and the final score stayed knotted at two each.

Calum Newson's goal was his third of the season, and his first in G-MAC play this year. Cedarville led in total shots 16-7, but Wesleyan held a 4-3 edge in shots-on-goal. 

With eight games left to play, the Panthes currently sit in a tie for eighth in the conference with Ohio Dominican. Five of the Panthers final eight games will be against teams in the bottom half of the conference standings, so Wesleyan still has a great shot to make the conference tournament for the first time since the Covid shortened spring 2021 season. 

The Panthers will hit the road this week, traveling to Malone on Thursday and Lake Erie on Saturday. Kickoff for Thursday's contest at Malone is set for 6:30 p.m. CT. 

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