REDDING, Calif. - Simpson's soccer team tied their conference opener against Pacific Union College (PUC). After going ahead on two separate occasions through goals by Nicholas Martinez-Galvez and Jonathen Garcia Virgen respectively, the Red Hawks settled for a 2-2 draw.
Heading into the game, Simpson had won nine of their last 13 games against PUC.
A fast start earned the Red Hawks a goal in the 12th minute, when center back Martinez-Galvez put them up 1-0 through a corner kick taken by Sergio Garibay.
In the 18th minute, the referee dished out yellow cards to Simpson's Nathan Liberato for a foul, and PUC's Franklin Antwi for a substitution-related infringement.
The scoreline remained at 1-0 to the Red Hawks for the remainder of the first half. The Pioneers applied pressure, taking six shots, but none were able to penetrate Jacopo Trolese's goal.
As the second half got underway, PUC kept applying the pressure. A nice pass by Anthony Arochi followed by a perfectly timed run in the 57th minute by Miguel Garcia earned him a chance at goal, which he slotted away to make it 1-1.
Simpson quickly answered, making a quintuple substitution, among which were Adrien Martinez and Garcia Virgen. Right after, In the 66th minute, a pinpoint pass by Martinez, followed by a great touch and finish by Garcia Virgen, led to an emphatic first goal as a Red Hawk to give Simpson the lead.
"It feels good to get my first goal," Garcia Virgen said.
"Hopefully I can build from here and keep that going," he concluded.
As the game entered its conclusion, both teams fought for possession. PUC wanted an equalizer, while Simpson pushed for a third.
In the 79th minute, Simpson keeper Trolese received a yellow card.
Just one minute later, a PUC free kick sent into Simpson's 18-yard box proved too much as a shot by Edwin Zabala was deflected into the back of the net with the help of Simpson defender Jorge Barranco.
The game was tied up at 2-2 with 10 minutes remaining.
What followed was an intense final ten minutes, with both teams pushing for a game-winner.
Simpson got a third yellow in the 89th minute, as Jorge Saldana Sonora committed a foul in transition.
However, the Red Hawks could not find the back of the net for the game-winner as the final whistle blew in 2-2 draw.
"It was a tough, intense game," Garcia Virgen said upon conclusion.
PUC ended the game with 20 shots, of which six on target. Simpson had just four shots in the game, converting two of them.
Simpson travel to Vallejo, California, as they take on Cal Maritime University Keelhaulers on Sept. 27.
