Santos and Mabuya Goals Can't Get Eagles Past Truett

Waleska, GA -  The Eagles came out with sizzling like a fresh plate of fajitas. They were able to get two shots off within the first five minutes and it seemed like the whole team was firing on all cylinders. Jay Santos in particular, who was injured for the first part of the season, was creating great space down the right flank from his defensive position. However, 15 minutes in, Truett McConnell withered the storm and began to show hints of the team that was able to draw against a ranked Milligan. The best of these chances flew by the Reinhardt post but was seen till the end by Allan Tercjak.

After that, the balance of the game shifted and TMU continued to put the pressure on until it culminated in a corner kick for them. #11 crossed it into the near post where the bear's attacking mid was able to head it into the net. 1-0 TMU. The Eagles were not complacent and renewed their attack with Weyman Mabuya grabbing the next chance off of a diving header, but it went over the bar. The rest of the half would see no more clear chances for RU and the Bears getting closer and closer to increasing the lead.

The second half followed a similar pattern with Reinhardt appearing to be the better team, only for Truett to go ahead and create an open 1v1 opportunity with less than 10 minutes played. Before the Eagles had a chance to breathe, the game was already 2-0. The Eagles needed a miracle, and they had two with the Bears failing to score two more open opportunities: one was saved by Tercjak while the other hit the crossbar. With 30 minutes left to go, Reinhardt University was searching for their identity.

The Eagles clawed and clawed and clawed until eventually Evan Deyou fought like a gladiator to bring the ball down the line, and sent in a scintillating cross where Jay Santos was there to tuck it away. Less than 3 minutes later John Simmons, in the style of Neymar, found his way between a befuddled TMU backline, played Weyman Mabuya, who, while falling to the ground, kicked the ball with all hope and no heartbreak, and saw it rest in the back of the net. The Eagles have risen. 2-2.

But football, for all of its fantasy and ferociousness, is no fairy tale and with 16 minutes left in the half, the TMU striker would double his tally to once again put his team ahead. 10 minutes later, a well-played set piece routine would once again increase to 4-2. A disappointing night in a well-fought game.

Next up for Reinhardt is a road game this Saturday at Milligan as the Eagles get back on the winning track. At the moment, Reinhardt is in the ninth position in the AAC standings - but there is plenty of time left to better their position before the AAC Tournament gets here.