Each team produces two-goal half as Pride and Ravens play to 2-2 draw

DUBUQUE, Iowa - Hoping to return to winning form following their first loss of 2023 in their previous game, the Clarke University men's soccer team finished their homecoming matchup against Benedictine College at a 2-2 draw on Friday night.

For the second time in three seasons, the Ravens were the homecoming opponent for CU men's soccer and for the second-straight time at Burrows Field, these two programs ended regulation tied with a rule change following the 2021 season taking overtime away to keep the tie in 2023 final after the Pride earned an overtime win on a penalty kick in 2021.

Also similar to that 2021 contest, the Pride earned a 2-0 lead in the first half as this game saw Jose Gomez open the scoring in the sixth minute with his second goal of the season followed by a Luke Persenico strike in the 25th minute to hold a 2-0 halftime advantage over BC.

Again similar to their meeting two seasons ago, the Ravens were able to outscore Clarke by two goals in the second half to draw even at 2-2 with a 54th minute goal from Adem Aroua before Aroua assisted on the equalizer in the 81st minute where Dylan Posada finished off a head on a nice cross from Aroua.

Playing down three players due to red card suspensions, CU attempted to hold off a strong Benedictine charge as the Ravens outshot the Pride 23-13 in the game and 15-7 in the second half where they mounted their comeback as Fernando Contreras was able to save seven of the nine shots on goal.

Clarke men's soccer will be right back at it mid-week next week when they host Grand View University on Oct. 4 for a 5:30 p.m. CT kickoff at Burrows Field.