MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Down 2-1 and on a two match losing streak, Faulkner was truly on the ropes for the first time this year. However, the Eagles battled back and took over for a comeback victory over UT Southern Thursday night at Billy D. Hilyer Stadium.
Michalis Jackson stood tall between the sticks with a fourth minute stop on a one-on-one with Manuel Flores to keep the match scoreless in the early stages.
In the 26th minute,
Ilan Tabet rocketed a volley into the top left corner of the goal off of
Gabriel Rokbrand's cross. The lasered effort was Tabet's second goal of the year and seemingly paid off all the momentum that had been swelling towards the Faulkner side.
That momentum quickly shifted back to neutral as just 58 seconds later, Rostrand Essomba elevated to a corner and equalized the match for the Firehawks.
George Grice sprung free in the 61st minute to put UT Southern in the lead. It was just the second time this year that Faulkner has surrendered multiple goals and the only time the Eagles have trailed in a match they led.
Just two and a half minutes later a historic moment happened for the equalizer. As a ball bounced towards the top of the box in a mad scramble, it was
Antoine Marques who nodded it home for a record-breaking goal. His 12th goal of the year sits him alone in single-season tallies in program history.
In the 70th minute,
Leo Freire and
Julio Souza linked with a one-two down the right side to free Freire up. The right wingback took the lead with a thunderbolt into the top left corner for his fifth goal of the year.
In the 74th minute, Jackson made another massive save as a cross forced Jackson to go from post to post but the Cyprusian goalkeeper made another kick stop to preserve the lead.
Higor França put the finishing touches on the match with a goal again into the top left corner after receiving a pass from Marques in the 79th minute.
Jackson ended with eight saves in the victory as both goalkeepers had great performances with nine saves for Ajay Murray.
Faulkner sits just one point behind fourth place Dalton State in the SSAC standings and are even in matches played with the Roadrunners. The Eagles are four points behind Thomas in third who has one league match remaining against UT Southern.
Faulkner takes on Blue Mountain Saturday night at 7:30 for senior night.
