TIFFIN, Ohio – The Tiffin University men's soccer team (0-1-0) opened the season with a 3-2 loss to No. 9 University of Charleston on Thursday afternoon at the Paradiso Athletic Complex.
The Golden Eagles came ready to play by dominating the first 45 minutes and scored their only three goals of the game 30 minutes in. The Dragons trailed 3-0 at the half and were forced to play defense the entire period as the offense was held without a shot attempt.
The second half was an entirely different game, this time with the Dragons dominating. Yaw Turkson put TU on the board in the 68th minute as he scored off an assist from Oliver Spinks. 13 minutes later, the duo connected again to make it a one-goal game with 10 minutes remaining.
Tiffin got three more good looks in the final ten minutes but couldn't find the equalizer. The Dragons also got a corner kick opportunity but were turned away by the Charleston defense. Garbhan Feeney's shot on goal was saved by the Charleston goalie in the 86th minute and a little over a minute later, Feeney's free kick a few feet outside the box sailed high.
As the Dragons inched closer, tension rose which led to five cards being given in out in the final 10 minutes which included a red card being shown to TU's Teddy McIntyre.
Nick Cherry took the loss in goal and recorded three saves.
It was a very physical contest with 30 combined fouls while both teams each recorded seven shots on goal.
TU returns to the Paradiso Athletic Complex on Sunday, Aug. 30 when Northern Michigan comes to town for a 2 p.m. contest.
