MOUNT VERNON, Ga. – The UT Southern men's soccer team mounted a furious second-half comeback from a four-goal deficit but ultimately came up just short in a 5-4 Southern States Athletic Conference loss to Brewton-Parker on Saturday afternoon.
The loss marks the Firehawks' first defeat of the season as UT Southern moves to 8-1-1 overall and 4-1 in SSAC play.
After entering the match unbeaten through its first nine contests, the Firehawks found themselves chasing the game for much of the afternoon. Brewton-Parker scored twice in the first half to take a 2-0 lead into the break despite UT Southern creating several quality chances of its own.
The challenge became even tougher early in the second half when the Firehawks were reduced to 10 men following a red card in the 48th minute.
Brewton-Parker capitalized on its advantage, scoring goals in the 64th and 68th minutes to extend the lead to 4-0.
Instead of folding, UT Southern responded with one of its most remarkable stretches of the season.
Benjamin Chretien started the comeback with a penalty kick goal in the 69th minute. Just 60 seconds later, Christian Sentz found the back of the net to trim the deficit to 4-2 and inject life into the Firehawks.
With momentum firmly on their side, UT Southern continued to attack. Chretien converted a second penalty kick in the 77th minute to make it a one-goal match before Paolo Perez completed the comeback effort just over three minutes later. Jinto Kanagase provided the assist on Perez's equalizer as the Firehawks erased the four-goal deficit and tied the match at 4-4.
Unfortunately for UT Southern, Brewton-Parker answered moments later. The hosts converted a penalty kick in the 84th minute to regain a 5-4 advantage.
The Firehawks continued to press over the final six minutes and generated several dangerous chances. Chretien, Filippo Fregoli, and Zen Tanaka all forced saves from the Brewton-Parker goalkeeper, but UT Southern was unable to find a second equalizer before time expired.
Despite the result, the Firehawks displayed tremendous resilience, scoring four goals in just over 10 minutes while playing a man down.
Chretien led the attack with two goals, while Sentz and Perez each added a goal. Kanagase recorded the Firehawks' lone assist of the afternoon.
UT Southern outshot Brewton-Parker 18-24 and placed 17 shots on target. The Firehawks also held a 10-8 advantage in corner kicks.
By the Numbers
Up Next
UT Southern returns home next weekend for a pair of critical SSAC matchups. The Firehawks will host Mobile on Thursday before welcoming Faulkner to Grissom Pitch on Saturday.
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