A goal in the 86th minute for Life Pacific meant The Master's men's soccer team went from what looked like a 1-0 win became instead a 1-1 tie Wednesday against the Warriors in La Verne, Calif.
The Mustangs (4-6-2, 3-4-1) had plenty of chances to score, getting off 17 shots to LPU's nine. But only four of the 17 were on goal.
"The same as its been all year," TMU Head Coach Jim Rickard said about Wednesday's game. "We hit that 5-minute mark to play and we give up goals like crazy. It's like the psychology in the brain is, 'We are going to get scored on.' I was sitting there thinking, 'If we don't score another goal then we are in trouble.' We had a lot of good chances, but they were shots that were right at the goalie or just off the goalie's fingertips and off goal. So it's frustrating."
The lone goal for TMU came off the foot of Hide Akasaka with an assist from
Jo Yokota. It was Akasaka's third goal of the season, which moves him into second on the team in goals, and Yokota's third assist this year.
With the tie, the Mustang's remain in sixth place with ten points in the GSAC. However they are only four points out of fourth place, which would be the final spot for the post-season GSAC Championship Tournament, and six points out of first.
Akasaka, Yokota,
Zach Rodriguez and
Kai Terentieff each tallied three shots to lead TMU.
The final four of the next five games remaining in the regular season will all be at home on Reese Field. This Saturday The Master's travels to Aliso Viejo, Calif. to take on Soka University of America. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
