ALAMOSA, Colo. -- Wayland Baptist men's soccer showed tremendous fight in a high-scoring battle on the road, but a late penalty kick proved to be the difference as the Pioneers fell to Adams State, 5-4, Thursday evening at the ASU Soccer & Lacrosse Field.
After falling behind 3-0 just 20 minutes into the match, the Pioneers refused to back down. Senior forward Jamol Williams sparked the comeback with his first goal in the 37th minute, giving WBU momentum heading into halftime.
Wayland carried that energy into the second half, where Niklas Thiel found the net in the 58th minute off an assist from Isaac Perez, cutting the deficit to one. Although Adams State answered, the Pioneers continued to press and broke through with goals by Ian Franchini (76') and another from Williams (79'), leveling the match at 4-4. Williams' second strike, assisted by Rivaldo Mitchell, capped a brilliant comeback effort and gave the Pioneers hope of stealing one on the road.
Unfortunately, a late foul inside the box set up Adams State's decisive penalty kick in the 86th minute, converted by Avery Richards to complete his hat trick and put the Grizzlies ahead for good.
Despite the setback, Wayland showed its attacking quality, outshooting Adams State 17-13, with seven shots on goal. Williams finished with two goals on six shots, while Franchini and Thiel added one each. Perez was a key playmaker with two assists, and Mitchell chipped in another.
Goalkeeper Alex Neri recorded two saves while playing all 90 minutes between the posts.
The Pioneers (3-2) will now turn their attention to Sooner Athletics Conference play as they prepare for another road test. Wayland Baptist travels to Fort Worth to face Texas Wesleyan University on Saturday, September 27th at 3:30 PM.
