UPSL: Augusta and Middle Georgia Split the Points in 2-2 Draw

Forrest Wimberly
48 minutes ago
3 min read

NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com

It was a 2-2 deadlock in Augusta last Saturday afternoon as the visiting Middle Georgia FC side scored a second-half stoppage-time goal to share the points in a draw with the Augusta Soccer Team.

The UPSL Division 1 Georgia South contest saw Augusta take the lead twice in the match but a scrappy, organized, Middle Georgia side with just a couple of substitutes weathered the rough patches of the match to earn a point on the road.

Augusta controlled the early minutes of the match and took a lead in the 17th minute as they executed a textbook counterattack off a Middle Georgia free kick gone astray. The Augusta wall blocked the driven free kick and the resulting rebound spang a 2v2 that Augusta played to perfection. A well-timed pass split the two Middle Georgia defenders at the midfield stripe to send Renty Kitty on his way right up the center of the park for the cool breakaway 1v1 finish.

Middle Georgia capitalized on some confusion across the Augusta defensive line in the 22nd minute to see Christian Bowen collect a loose ball and then drive into the area to fire the ball into the low corner of the net to level the match before the halftime break.

Augusta and Middle Georgia opened the second half in more of a midfield duel before Augusta found an opening on a long ball played into the box that forced a Middle Georgia foul and a PK awarded to Augusta in the 62nd minute. Augusta’s Henry Martinez calmly placed the ball into the right corner of the net to put the hosts back ahead for the second time in the match.

The final minutes of regulation played out in Augusta’s favor and desperation began to creep into the Middle Georgia attack. A free kick in second half stoppage time provided the perfect opportunity for Middle Georgia to gamble in the attack by overloading the Augusta box with numbers. The initial Middle Georgia service rattled off the crossbar before a scramble inside the Augusta goal box was cleaned up by Middle Georgia defender Treiin Britt who applied the final touch to inch the ball just over the line and level the match at 2-2.

The final whistle saw both teams content with a point on a hot, sunny day in Augusta.

The match for Augusta was just the second home match held at their new home field at Augusta Primero Campo. After the game, Augusta Soccer Team founder and coach Merquiades McLellan was positive about the result as he talked about the new home field.

“A massive stride forward, but we aren’t satisfied,” said Merquiades. “A 2-2 draw against a top team shows the progress we’re making after our last outing (loss at Lake County). It was 90 minutes of pure passion, grit, and determination from our boys. Consistency is the focus now as we turn our attention straight to next weekend.”

“It is difficult to get fields here in town (Augusta) and we share the same vision and ideas with the church (Primero Campo) that has been developing this field,” said Merquiades. “We all have a part to play, we do our part and they do their part to build our community.”

Augusta plays host to the Columbus Knight Eagles next Saturday, May 23 at Primero Campo while Middle Georgia plays host to LSA Norcross on May 31. Augusta will play a second match next weekend in an exhibition match versus the US Men’s Senior National Team (Over-40) as they prepare for the Over-40 World Cup being hosted in Thailand later this year. Kickoff for Augusta and the USMNT Over-40 team is set for 4 PM on Sunday, May 24 at Lions Field in North Augusta.