Danville, Ky. - Centre was on its way to a win on the first night of the 37th Annual Bob Allen Nissan Classic, but an Aurora goal with 90 seconds to play proved crushing as the Colonels settled for a 2-2 draw.
On a warm night at Amend Field, the action was just as intense throughout the game.
Gideon Malone had the first Colonel shot on goal in the 5th minute but was denied. Aurora began to control the ball with possession and measured builds. The first Spartan shot on goal came in the 15th minute with
Declan Miller on the spot for the save. Aurora continued to possess and attack when suitable. The tactics paid off in the 31st minute. A cross into the Centre box was played home off a Spartan chest to put Aurora in the lead. Centre answered back with measured advances of its own and would be rewarded with an early goal of the season candidate. With a deflected ball coming down just outside the Spartan box,
Jafet Figueroa came around and whipped a screamer with his left foot that crushed the back right corner of the net. The electric goal tied the contest at 1. Figueroa was not finished though. With less than a minute to play.
Ryan O'Hara sprinted down the right side with the ball and played a cross to the box. Figueroa was waiting on the back post totally unmarked for the tap in to give Centre a 2-1 lead going to halftime.
Aurora took possession for much of the second half with Centre garnering limited chances much of the way. The best threats early came from
Chandler Hamilton and
Tyler Smith in the 52nd and 53rd minutes, but neither were true threats to reach the net. Aurora continued to control the field and ball. From the 61st to the 72nd minutes, the Spartans earned six corners alone. Centre tried to hold on for as long as possible but could not see it through to the end. A perfect shot from the right side of the box curled away from
Declan Miller in goal, banked off the post and went in with just 90 seconds remaining to level the match. Centre had one last try and nearly had the winner. A ball into the Aurora box got the Spartan keeper off the line.
Will Sweet was there and seemingly had a tap in winner, but a Spartan defender came sliding in to clear the ball away as both teams settled for an exciting 2-2 draw.
Both keepers made 4 saves on a night that saw multiple yellow cards and a combined 15 fouls called.
Centre wraps up the Bob Allen Nissan Classic on Sunday against Brevard, starting at 2:15pm.
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