Arcadia and LVC trade second half blows in 4-4 draw

MAC Freedom Conference play began with a bang in Glenside, Pa. on Saturday afternoon as Arcadia and LVC played to a 4-4 draw with an 8-goal second half.

Scoreless for the first 50 minutes, Declan Kelly got the goal parade going with a well-struck free kick in the 50th minute and the hosts doubled their advantage in the 65th minute on Alex Chyzowych’s fifth of the year. But as the saying goes about a 2-0 lead being the most dangerous lead in soccer, the Flying Dutchmen responded to the second with a rapid fire goal from Ollie Lynch (York Haven, Pa.) practically off the kickoff to begin their ascent.

Ten minutes later Gavin Rapp (Wernersville, Pa.) found an equalizer but Arcadia snatched the momentum right back with Scott Jordan (Allentown, Pa.) driving into the box and drawing a foul. Sean Lock (Malvern, Pa.) then converted from the spot to give the Knights the 3-2 lead but LVC tied it up with Rapp hammering in a cross from Lynch to the back post and Nathan Prex scored what looked like it might be the winner two minutes later. The goal marked the 9th straight game with a goal for the senior forward, who also assisted on LVC’s first goal.

In a game where it felt like every dead ball was a chance at a goal, Arcadia borrowed from LVC’s playbook with a comeback equalizer of their own when Kelly connected with Lock on a corner kick.

Still, Prex and LVC weren’t done and nearly found what would’ve been a 9th second half goal with the senior from Pittsburgh in on goal in the 89th minute but the shot just missed the right post and the crowd of 394 at Jean Lenox West Field caught their breath after a stunning display.

“We’ve done a really good job all season, responding when going down,” said Prex, who leads the team with 11 goals and 5 assists. “It’s just a shame that wasn’t enough today. I had a good chance at the end to kind of seal the game, and didn’t execute. But credit to Arcadia, they had an excellent free kick executed off their corner. It’s something we’re going to reflect on. We’re on fall break now so we’re going to take a day, take a breather and get back after it against Dickinson on Wednesday.” 

While neither team wanted to drop points in their conference opener – the women’s teams played to a 2-2 draw earlier in the day – the game had a survive and advance cup feel to it that couldn’t have been a better primer for conference season in both Mid-Atlantic Conference leagues.

“When you’re down two goals with about 25 minutes to go in the game it’s a tall task,” LVC head coach Charlie Grimes said after the match. “But I give credit to Arcadia too because I thought when we fought back and went up 4-3 we were going to be able to see the game out.”

Up next, LVC (6-1-4) heads to Dickinson for their final non-conference match of the season on Wednesday while Arcadia (5-2-5) hosts MAC Freedom foe DeSales next Saturday.