The Hargrave Tigers (5-7-1, 3-1) fell to the No. 15 Liberty Christian Bulldogs (11-2-1, 4-0-1), 4-2, backed by a four goal performance by the Bulldog’s star forward Abass Ayembillah. The match featured six total goals, 36 shots, and numerous opportunities for both sides.
Liberty got on the scoreboard early when Ayembillah broke through the Hargrave defense, and drove a shot hard and low into the bottom left corner of the goal past the diving attempt from the Tiger’s junior goalkeeper, Brad Faught.
Ayembillah would strike again just three minutes later to beat the Tiger defense on an easy break-away opportunity, and put the Tigers behind 2-0 early on.
Following the shocking beginning the Tigers finally eased into the pace of the game, and created a few chances of their own. Although, Hargrave would be held scoreless at the half as all five of their shots on goal were turned away by Bulldog’s goalkeeper Georgi Branov.
Ayembillah, though, would strike once again before the half with less than 15 minutes remaining to put the Tigers behind by a three goal deficit. The Tiger’s senior midfielder Scott Dinius saw two good opportunities to close the half, but sailed both attempts just wide of the mark. Hargrave finished with nine shots to equal the Bulldog’s nine shots in the first.
During the course of the second period the Tigers began creating more opportunities and chances on the offensive end as they outshot the Bulldogs 12-7 in the half. Although, once again, the Tigers were unable to connect early on unable to put away several good opportunities.
With 26 minutes remaining Ayembillah found the net once again for his fourth, seemingly diminishing any hope for the Tigers. Although, despite falling behind 4-0 the Tigers continued to fight and push forward as five of their last seven shots, in the final 20 minutes of play, all found their way on goal.
Dinius would record the Tiger’s first with just under 19 minutes remaining, and begin a flurry of opportunities to close out the game. The Dinius goal came unassisted as he won a loose ball in the Bulldog defensive third, drove the ball forward beating two defenders, and blasted the ball into the back of the net from just inside the penalty area.
The Dinius goal sparked a flurry of opportunities for the Tigers late, but yet again the Tigers were unable to find the back of the net with missed chances and three saves from the Bulldog’s Branov.
Dinius would add a late goal for the Tigers from the penalty spot with 4:34 remaining in the contest. The Bulldog’s Branov finished with 11 saves in the contest to deny the Tigers on numerous, good opportunities.
The 4-2 loss would be the Tiger’s first in conference play.
