MEN’S SOCCER

Despite having the first say, the Huntington men’s soccer team had to settle for a 2-2 draw on the road against Michigan-Dearborn (0-0-1) Wednesday afternoon at Star International Academy.

The Foresters have never lost to the Wolverines since the two programs started playing each other in 2018. In their six outings against UMD, HU has racked up four wins and collected a pair of stalemates.

Huntington got off to a fast start compliments of an Owen Lieland goal, his first in Forester green, within the opening four minutes. The senior midfielder was off to the races after Dilesh Patel fed him a ball from midfield with only the keeper to beat.

Unfortunately what happened next quickly sobered Coach Potter and his crew as the hosts scored twice within a three-minute span just :30 seconds after Lieland’s goal. The 2-1 Wolverine advantage carried into the second half until Sam Dolobaipu leveled things up by sending a screamer back netting after side-stepping two defenders at the 58:42 mark.

Based on shots taken, 24-6 in favor of the visitors, it seemed obvious who dominated the contest but unfortunately the scoreboard told a different story as Dolobaipu’s equalizer proved the last goal of the day despite HU’s longing for a heroic finish.

Huntington fired off seven shots in the latter part of the game which included a shot on goal with just over seven minutes remaining that the UMD keeper somehow got his hands on to deny what could have easily been the game-winner. Dan Pellegrine had one save over the course of the 90 minutes he spent in goal.

With this draw, the Foresters move to 2-1-1 on the season. Huntington is back on the road Saturday to play Holy Cross at noon.