CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. —
Mihlali Blesi scored once in each half Saturday at Finley Stadium, but Campbellsville University surrendered an equalizer in the 84th minute and settled for a 2-2 draw with Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
- Blesi recorded Campbellsville's first multi-goal performance of the season, scoring in the ninth and 70th minutes while placing five of his match-high seven shots on frame.
- The Tigers became more assertive after halftime, increasing their output from six first-half shots to 10 in the second and placing six of those attempts on goal.
- Alessandro Martinez entered in the 61st minute and assisted Blesi's second goal less than 10 minutes later.
- Campbellsville nearly found a third goal during a 66-second attacking sequence late in the second half, striking both posts and forcing three saves between 82:12 and 83:18.
- Goalkeeper Malthe Schou made six saves, including two in the final three minutes, as Mount Vernon Nazarene generated 25 shots.
- The Tigers placed 10 of their 16 attempts on target, forcing Brayden Pierson into eight saves.
Campbellsville created the first clear opportunity when Blesi tested Pierson in the eighth minute. The forward broke through just over a minute later, scoring unassisted at 8:51 to put the Tigers ahead 1-0.
Mount Vernon Nazarene answered with sustained pressure. Cesar Silva struck the crossbar in the 12th minute before Schou denied Silva and Dariel Contrera during the ensuing attacking spell.
The Tigers continued to create opportunities at the other end. Pierson stopped
Izan Garcia Gancedo in the 16th minute and
Mark Horn in the 28th before Horn's follow-up header was blocked.
The Cougars drew level at 33:20 when Diogo Bento converted from Miguel Bello's assist. Schou stopped another Bello attempt less than a minute later, sending the teams into halftime tied 1-1.
Campbellsville regained the lead in the 70th minute. Martinez, who had entered as a substitute at 60:02, supplied Blesi for his second goal of the match and a 2-1 advantage.
The Tigers nearly added to their lead during a concentrated spell in the 83rd minute. Garcia Gancedo struck the post at 82:12 before Pierson saved consecutive Blesi attempts.
Inaki Perez then hit the post, and Pierson turned away
Ollie Jagroop moments later.
Mount Vernon Nazarene responded at the other end, with Baba Sarr scoring unassisted at 83:35 to tie the match at 2-2.
Schou preserved the draw by denying Sarr in the 88th minute and Arnar Páll Harosrson in the closing seconds.
Campbellsville finished with 16 shots, 10 on goal, and four corner kicks. Mount Vernon Nazarene recorded 25 shots, eight on goal, and five corners. The result moved the Tigers to 1-2-2 and the Cougars to 3-0-1.
