VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Guilford College men's soccer team (3-8-4, 2-2-2 ODAC) battled back from a halftime deficit to earn a 1-1 draw against Batten University (2-5-7, 1-2-3 ODAC) Saturday afternoon at Foster Field/Tassos Paphitis Soccer Complex.
Guilford finished with eight shots, putting four on target, while Batten recorded 10 shots with three on goal. The Quakers held a 2-0 advantage in corner kicks, while committing 12 fouls compared to six for the home side. Bayer recorded two saves, while Miller made three stops as both teams earned a point in conference play.
Kian Flynn (Waxhaw, N.C.) led the Quakers offensively, scoring the equalizer on his lone shot of the afternoon. Isaac Garbia (Copenhagen, Denmark) recorded the assist on Flynn's goal, while Jaykob Garbia (Copenhagen, Denmark) led Guilford with two shots. David Mestre (Valencia, Span), Sebastian Urgiles (Burlington, N.C.), and Manu Diaz (Madrid, Spain) each put a shot on target. In net, Sam Bayer (Lakeville, Minn.) played all 90 minutes and finished with two saves.
Cowen Napior led Batten with a goal on two shots, putting one attempt on target. JaMarhe Wills added an assist and recorded two shots, including one on goal, while Mustafa Elwasila also registered two shots. Goalkeeper Brady Miller played the full match and made three saves to help Batten earn the draw.
Batten struck first in the 34th minute when Napior found the back of the net off an assist from Wills, giving the home side a 1-0 advantage heading into the break. The Quakers continued to search for an equalizer as the match remained physical, with both sides receiving yellow cards in the first half. Batten added another caution early in the second half as the intensity continued to build.
Guilford found its breakthrough in the 70th minute off a set piece. Vasquez started the play, connecting with Isaac Garbia, who helped set up Flynn for the equalizer. Flynn's goal leveled the match at 1-1 and gave the Quakers new life in the closing stages.
The teams traded opportunities down the stretch, with Guilford looking to complete the comeback and Batten attempting to reclaim the lead. Bayer made two second-half saves to help preserve the draw. Guilford continued to push forward late, with Urgiles putting a shot on target in the 88th minute, but Miller made the stop to keep the score even through the final whistle.
Guilford continues ODAC play Wednesday, October 21, traveling to Danville, Virginia, to face Averett University. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
#GoQuakes
