FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Men's Soccer Team staged a second half comeback in their MEC Tournament match on Sunday evening, defeating Salem 3-1 to advance to the semifinals.
FSU entered the game as the two seed in the North Division, going 7-4-6 in the regular season with a 5-4-4 mark in conference play. SU, in their first season as an associate MEC member, went 6-11-2 overall with a 3-9-1 conference record to secure the three seed in the South Division.
Just over five minutes into the game, the Tigers immediately hit the front foot, as Noah Kostanian Urvik passed into the back of the net after receiving a cross from Tommy Sowinski for a 1-0 advantage. Five minutes later, graduate Kevin Garcia-Torres looked to even things up but his shot was deflected away, then sophomore Frank Stare got his first chance of the day and lined one from the near side right at goalkeeper Jason Barrientos. Nearing the midway point of the first half, Salem generated another opportunity that missed wide, while two minutes later, Stare had an excellent chance to equalize, taking advantage of a Tiger miscue for a one-on-one with Barrientos, who got just enough of a fingertip on it to send it away for a corner.
The Bobcats kept pressing as SU began to sit in deep, getting four shots away in the span of six minutes, with sophomore Christ Fopossi and senior Anthony Diaz seeing efforts blocked, while Stare fired up high, then freshman Abdallah Soulemana got his head on a long through, as Barrientos dove to his left for a save. Salem followed with a long-range shot that sailed high before Fopposi managed two more shots, one going over the bar and the next forcing Barrientos into another stop from a curled free kick. Frostburg tested Barrientos again in the last two minutes, as sophomore David Williams tried to chip Barrientos but didn't get enough on it, as he made a one-handed catch and sent the match into halftime with SU leading 1-0.
Coming out of the break, Frostburg immediately generated two early shots, from sophomore Nate Kennedy and graduate Mateo Cuadros, with both being blocked by the Tiger defense. Over ten minutes later, junior Dom Good had his first chance of the night, also seeing the hit deflected. Looking to put together something on a free kick, Salem's Copper West sent his shot to the right of goal, as did junior Andrew Denard at the other end.
With just over 20 minutes to play, Frostburg finally broke through when Fopossi chipped a ball over the SU defense, where Barrientos came out of his goal and completely whiffed on his clearance, allowing Stare to get in behind for an easy top-in to tie it things at one apiece. Sensing momentum being on their side, FSU found their groove just two minutes later, as Fopossi launched a free kick from 40 yards out, finding Soulemana's head as he powered the ball past Barrientos and just inside the post for a 2-1 Frostburg lead.
Looking for more, Fopossi tried for a goal of his own after his two assists, with his first effort being blocked and the next forcing Barrientos into a reaction save before Salem cleared the ball away. Denard had another opportunity that went off the head of a Salem defender, then a throw-in from sophomore Spencer Davis was allowed to bounce in the box as Stare was alert at the back post to head the ball to the back of the net for a huge insurance goal, increasing Frostburg's lead to 3-1.
That goal proved to be vital almost immediately, as the referee adjudged Davis to bring down Sowinski from the kick-off for a penalty kick. Having earned the PK, Sowinski stepped up and fired to the left side, but graduate goalkeeper Josiah Emerson flew the same direction to keep the ball out of the net for a key save. In the ensuing melee, Salem's Jerrel Cooper was sent off, taking the visitors to 10 men and a two-goal deficit.
FSU looked to take full advantage with a flurry of chances, as freshman Lynghton Romage, Williams, and Stare all had efforts go off target, then senior Brian Gomez sent a perfect cross to Denard, whose shot hit Barrientos in the legs for a save. With five minutes left, SU put a tame effort easily gathered by Emerson while Kennedy missed wide and Diaz had an effort blocked before the buzzer sounded, as FSU took home the 3-1 win.
The Bobcats held a 27-6 advantage in shots, with ten on goal compared to the Tigers' three.
With the win, Frostburg improves to 8-4-6 on the year, while Salem ends their season 6-11-2. FSU will now advance to the semifinals, where they will travel to the South Division champions, Charleston (WV), on Wednesday, November 4 at 4 p.m. For more information, please visit frostburgsports.com.
