Keydets Tie Howard, 1-1

Men's Soccer VMIKeydets.com

Keydets Tie Howard, 1-1

Box Score LEXINGTON, Va. – The VMI men's soccer team battled the Howard Bison to a 1-1 tie in a non-conference game played Wednesday at Patchin Field.

VMI (1-7-1) scored first on the windy, slightly cool day in Lexington. After eight-and-a-half minutes of midfield oriented play, Brian Harding got free just outside the box and fired the first shot attempt of the game. It beat Howard (2-8-1) keeper Larry Turner to his left, putting VMI up 1-0 on Harding's second goal of the year.

Howard countered seven minutes later. After a restart, Phillip Borde tipped the ball to Lamar Hyde. Hyde headed the ball past VMI keeper Brian Sowell, tying the game at one and accounting for the eventual final margin. The game marked both clubs' first tie of the season, and VMI's first tie at home since last year's regular season finale against Presbyterian.

VMI came back moments after Hyde's goal and began to take control of the tempo, outshooting Howard 5-1 over the next 16 minutes. At 33:32, Will Quarles blasted a shot from the far sideline that forced Turner to make a leaping save, keeping the game knotted at one. Despite two more shots by the Keydets, that would remain the score at halftime. VMI controlled the pace in the first half, outshooting the Bison 10-4 in the first 45 minutes.

The second half began with a VMI flurry, as the Keydets attempted three shots including one on goal in the 53rd minute. The attempts were sandwiched by a pair of yellow cards on VMI players, Brandon Gary and Ayao Sossou, as well as one on Howard's Lemuel Lyons.

Sowell was tested for the first time all day in the 55th minute, as he stopped a Rodino Wright shot to keep the game tied. Three minutes later, after a Howard foul, VMI had possession in the Howard defensive zone. With Zach Morgan well into the box, the Bison were whistled for a foul, allowing the Keydets to take a penalty kick. Morgan tried to nail the shot to Turner's left, but the Howard freshman keeper was up to the task and dove to stop the attempt.

Howard countered with a rally of its own, following a substitution in the 62nd minute. Beginning at 61:24, the Bison had three corner kicks and three shots, including two on goal. Sowell stopped both, keeping the score knotted at one.

After another VMI counter-attack, Howard got one of its best scoring chances. Kareem Williams attempted a shot from the far sideline at 73:18, but Sowell leapt to get a hand on it and preserve the tie. The Keydets forced Turner to make four saves in the final 16 minutes of regulation, but could not punch in the go-ahead goal and the game headed to overtime. The final half of regulation had been physical, as it featured no less than four clock stoppages and three total yellow cards. Two additional yellow cards would be assessed during the overtime frames, for a total of six on the day.

Players began to show signs of their legs cramping as the overtime periods began, but the pace continued to be very quick. Most of the play was in the midfield, but John Sisco got free for a shot that went wide at 95:44. Howard countered with an attempt by Williams, which also went wide. Kurt Zimmerman had an attempt as time expired, but Turner was up to the task, sending the game to another extra frame.

Howard pushed the pace in the final period, but to no avail. The majority of the play was in the Bison's offensive zone, and they had four shots in the 10-minute frame. Sowell made two saves, and Keydet defenders got in front of the other two attempts, sending the players off the field for the final time with a 1-1 tie.

VMI outshot Howard 28-16 on the day, and posted 11 shots-on-goal to Howard's eight. The Bison bested the Keydets in corner kicks, 10-9, despite being outdone in that category 5-2 in the opening half. Turner, making just his second collegiate start, stopped an impressive 10 shots for the visiting team, while Sowell made seven saves for VMI.

VMI men's soccer will return to action Sunday, as the Keydets open Big South play by hosting the defending conference champions, the Winthrop Eagles. Game time at Patchin Field is set for 1 p.m.
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Players Mentioned

Brandon Gary

#5 Brandon Gary

D
5' 11"
Sophomore
Brian Harding

#18 Brian Harding

M
5' 11"
Junior
Zach Morgan

#14 Zach Morgan

F
5' 11"
Junior
John Sisco

#12 John Sisco

M
6' 0"
Junior
Ayao Sossou

#44 Ayao Sossou

D
5' 6"
Sophomore
Brian Sowell

#0 Brian Sowell

GK
6' 3"
Junior
Kurt Zimmerman

#15 Kurt Zimmerman

D
6' 0"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Brandon Gary

#5 Brandon Gary

5' 11"
Sophomore
D
Brian Harding

#18 Brian Harding

5' 11"
Junior
M
Zach Morgan

#14 Zach Morgan

5' 11"
Junior
F
John Sisco

#12 John Sisco

6' 0"
Junior
M
Ayao Sossou

#44 Ayao Sossou

5' 6"
Sophomore
D
Brian Sowell

#0 Brian Sowell

6' 3"
Junior
GK
Kurt Zimmerman

#15 Kurt Zimmerman

6' 0"
Junior
D