MEN’S SOCCER

The HU men’s soccer team (8-5-2) proved their grittiness Tuesday afternoon by mounting an impressive come-from-behind 3-2 win over Marian to jump into third place in the league standings with a CL record of 3-1-2 as the season winds down.

While Bethel remains undefeated in league play, the top spots after that are up for grabs as the next seven Crossroads teams are within three points of each other with three regular season games remaining. Marian (7-6-2, 3-3) is currently tied for sixth with Mount Vernon and Spring Arbor.

After the Knights scored at the 26:53 mark, the guests shocked their hosts by finding back netting again less than 90 seconds later. Valentine Neuhold and David Green teamed up both times to give Marian what would seem a commanding 2-0 lead. But Lawson and crew weren’t settling for that. The Foresters got one back when Pablo Garcia bent in a corner kick far post upper 90 within seven minutes of MU’s second goal to head into intermission with renewed energy down by just one at 2-1.

HU’s new life carried well into the second half. Off a set piece in the 74th minute, Alan Bernardez elevated above everyone to get his head on a ball Eric Ocock served into the box for the equalizer. The Foresters went for the juggler with just over two minutes remaining when Higor Barbieri slotted the keeper off a throw in by Austin Batey. It was Barbieri’s second game-winner this fall, his sixth goal of the year.

Huntington nearly doubled up Marian in shots taken, 19-10, with 16 on frame to the Knights’ nine. Gabe Greenfield collected seven saves on his way to logging the win in goal.

“While this wasn’t the start we were hoping for today to give up two early goals directly off throw ins,” said Coach Russ Lawson. “I was proud of how the boys handled the adversity. They stuck together and kept fighting and were rightly rewarded.”

Since the 2016 season, the Foresters have collected six wins and posted one tie over the Knights. The Foresters will celebrate their seniors on Saturday when they host Bethel at 2:00 p.m.