CEDARVILLE, Ohio – Kentucky Wesleyan men's soccer (9-4-4, 7-3-4 Great Midwest Athletic Conference) opened its postseason run with a statement Saturday afternoon, rallying from a second-half deficit to defeat No. 4 seed Cedarville 2-1 on the road in the opening round of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament at Yellow Jacket Field.
The No. 5-seeded Panthers showed their postseason resolve when it mattered most, answering a Cedarville goal with two of their own in a span of just two minutes and 26 seconds to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 victory and keep their championship pursuit alive.
The Panthers and Yellow Jackets battled through a scoreless opening half, with Kentucky Wesleyan creating chances, but Cedarville kept the Panthers off the scoreboard.
Matteo Graniero made a key save in the opening 45 minutes to keep the match level heading into halftime.
Cedarville were the first to break through early in the second half, taking a 1-0 lead in the 54th minute through a great strike from Chris Guyot. The Panthers refused to let the deficit bring them down, answering with a furious stretch of attacking pressure.
Carter Ford leveled the match in the 60th minute, finishing from the top of the 18-yard box after a goalkeeper punch-out to make it 1-1. Just over two minutes later,
Mattie McNally completed the comeback, finishing from six yards out off a rebound to put Kentucky Wesleyan ahead 2-1.
Jersey Lopez assisted on both Panther goals.
With their postseason lives on the line, the Panthers dug in defensively over the final 28 minutes. Cedarville continued to push for an equalizer, but Graniero turned away three second-half shots on target, including a pair of saves in the final 23 minutes, while Kentucky Wesleyan's defense held firm to preserve the lead. The Panthers closed out the match without allowing another goal, securing a hard-fought road victory and advancing in the G-MAC Tournament.
Ford and McNally each finished with a goal, while Lopez recorded two assists. Graniero made four saves as Kentucky Wesleyan held Cedarville to one goal on five shots on target. The Panthers finished with five shots, including four on goal.
Up Next
Men's Soccer will travel to Painsville, Ohio, to take on No. 1-seed and host Lake Erie on Thursday, November 5 at 6 p.m. CT.
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