BREVARD, N.C. - The Brevard College men's soccer team (0-1-1) drew 3-3 in its 2024 home opener vs. Averett University (2-1-1) on Saturday afternoon at Ives-Lemel Family Field.
The match was chock full of drama, with the lead shifting between 2-0 and 3-2 advantages by Brevard, followed by Averett tying the contest on two seperate occasions. Ten total cards were handed out in the match, as BC held on to salvage the draw despite playing man-down for the final 17 minutes of action.
Luiz Pontes, a graduate transfer from Joao Pessoa, Brazil by way of Goshen College, scored his first goal as a member of the Tornados while also being credited with his first Tornado assist following a rebounded saved shot. Pontes' assist came on Vitor Razera's second goal of the season, as the freshman defender from Piracicaba, Brazil headed in the ball following Pontes' shot attempt that deflected off the keeper and crossbar. The strike marked BC's first goal of the afternoon.
Ryan Lynch, a fifth-year senior from Charlotte, North Carolina, orchastrated the first goal of the game for BC with his long free-kick, and scored a wonder-goal on a 55-yard free kick that sailed into the back of the net.
Wendel Lima, a senior from São Paulo, Brazil, logged his first assist of the season on Pontes' goal, which came in the 53rd minute of play. Pontes collected Lima's through ball, beat Averett's Tyler Yates one-on-one, and finished the opportunity to give Brevard the lead back early in the second half.
Leandre Tyssandier kickstarted AU's offensive attack after the Cougars fell behind 2-0 through the first 20 minutes of play. Tyssandier was subbed in and earned assists on both of Averett's first two goals, which were both scored by Daniel Lilley. Oliver Kousholt knotted the contest up for good in the 63rd minute, converting on a free kick from just outside the penalty box as the Cougars leveled the contest back, 3-3.
Brevard's defense stepped up, holding the visitors off the score sheet through the remainder of the contest, in spite of being forced man down through the final 17-plus minutes of the contest.
In addition to the 10 cards handed out on Saturday, 34 fouls were called between the two sides. Brevard led the shot count 13-10, including an 8-4 margin in on-target attempts.
The Tornados will visit Warren Wilson next Tuesday, September 10 at 5 p.m., making the short trip to nearby Swannanoa for the non-conference matchup.
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