COLUMBIA, Ky. – The (RV) Campbellsville University men's soccer took on the #11 Lindsey Wilson College Blue Raiders in the "Battle of Highway 55" Thursday night but were unable to emerge victorious with a 5-1 final.
The Battle of Highway 55 began with both teams testing the other's resolve. Back-and-forth the ball zipped across the pitch with bodies tussling with one another for possession. Lindsey Wilson was able to record two shots within the opening five minutes and
Tom Edge kicked his own that was saved in the 8
th. The Blue Raiders responded with retaliatory aggression and netted a ball over a sliding
Gustav Oskarsson in minute 13. Lindsey Wilson outpaced Campbellsville six shots to two in the first 25 minutes with both teams' keepers recording two saves.
In the 35
th minute,
Eleder Goicoechea had a promising opportunity from the left corner of the box that was just wide. Not a minute later, a header from the Blue Raiders was heading straight for the net before keeper
Jeremi Campagnolo leapt with outstretched hands and snagged his third save. Lindsey Wilson would rebound though and connect on their subsequent attempt to score. In the waning time of the first half,
Sebastiano Musu nearly notched a goal if not for the swift hand of Lindsey Wilson's keeper.
At the break, both teams' keepers had posted three saves. It was six shots for the Tigers compared to the Blue Raiders' eight while the two squads shared the same number of corners with three.
To kick off the second half, Campagnolo had a huge save in the first minute. That quick chance would give an inkling to the sheer aggression of the Blue Raider offense: they would try four shots in the first ten minutes with one successful. Down 3-0 the Tigers would respond. Edge absolutely obliterated a ball from about 40 yards out that soared past the defense and the keeper alike for the goal. Lindsey Wilson would pummel the box the try four rapid goals of their own, but none would pass Campagnolo.
The Blue Raiders' onslaught would eventually pay off for them in the 58
th minute when they chipped in a floating shot after pulling Campagnolo from the goal on a fast break. Following that, Edge would try another bomb from deep but this time the Lindsey Wilson keeper was prepared and knocked it away. In the 69
th minute, a free kick by Goicoechea nearly found the net when it zipped under the wall in front of him but just left and wide of the goal. The Tigers would try three shots in four minutes but see none translate to points.
It was a constant seesaw of scoring chances that went in the Blue Raiders' favor, even managing to score in the final minute. In total, Lindsey Wilson tried 26 shots (12 on goal) while Campbellsville took 15 (eight on goal).
Now that their regular season has concluded, the Tigers prepare to enter the Mid-South Conference Tournament. Their opening contest has yet to be scheduled.
