ARLINGTON, Va. – It was quite a start for the six-game home stand for the Marymount (Va.) University men's soccer team, battling out a 2-2 draw on Friday night against Wisconsin Lutheran College at Long Bridge Park. 

The offensive intensity picked up right at the first whistle on both ends, seeing a great opportunity come in just the opening two minutes with a breakaway attempt by sophomore Mynor Lopez. Beating the back two defenders, the midfielder found some room to take a rip outside of the 18-yard box while Warrior goalkeeper Erek Lehnen closed out the angle. Unfortunately, the attempt soared high over the crossbar. 

That was the trend for the first 13 minutes, as Lehnen and freshman goalkeeper John Valcicak both turned away two shots on goal. Finally, one of the attempts passed a keeper's gloves, in the favor of the Saints in the 14th minute. Senior Ahmed El-manialawy found some room down the left side, and with the space, sent in a low ball to the center of the box. A perfect pass met the foot of freshman Michael Ku-Dipietro who sent in a shot that broke the silence for the 1-0 lead, a goal that was the first of his collegiate career. 

Roughly seven minutes later, the Warriors answered. Wisconsin Lutheran's Jimmy Pierson, in traffic, was able to get off a shot. With quick hands, Valcicak pushed the ball away, but the deflection went right back to Pierson who made the second one count to draw the score even at 1-1. 

The knotted score held through the rest of the first half and wouldn't be broken until the 59th minute. Again, the Saints used their accurate crossing ability to put away the go-ahead goal. This time the pass from the left side of the box came from sophomore Brandon Orozco, finding El-manialawy on the back post for the finish and his third-straight game with a goal. 

With the lead, MU locked in on the backline, trying to hold out in the final 30 minutes. However, the Warriors capitalized on a set piece in the 67th minute. A corner attempt on the right side was sent into the middle of the box where there was a mess of both sides. The ball dropped in to meet the head, though, of Warrior Enrique Arreola who redirected it past the outstretched arms of Valcicak. 

Again all knotted up, the 2-2 draw would hold through the rest of regulation and two overtime periods. In the two 10-minute extra periods, the Saints saw six opportunities that were all either saved, blocked or just pushed high over the crossbar. 

Valcicak earned the tie between the pipes, working for seven saves in his 110 minutes of play. 

The men continue their home stand on Sunday, September 11, as they welcome Mount Aloysius College to Long Bridge Park for another non-conference matchup. First touch is set for 2 p.m.