RICHMOND, VA. -- For the second-straight match to open the 2010
season, both Campbell and Richmond played two overtimes. And for
the first time in the 48-year history of the Fighting Camel
program, the Camels have opened the season with a pair of
draws.
Following Wednesday's 0-0 decision at home vs. 2009 NCAA College
Cup participant Loyola (Md.), the Camels gained a 1-1 tie Saturday
night on the road at Ukrop Park as keeper Ryan Amons made two saves
in the 110th minute to preserve the result.
The Camels (0-0-2) claimed the lead on the first shot of the match
when freshman Jared Girard scored the first goal of his career off
a Mitchell Cardenas assist at the 3:47 mark.
Richmond equalized in the 17th minute when Rob Scherer headed in a
Spencer Schiff corner kick.
The Camels out-shot the hosts 9-5 in the opening period and held a
14-11 edge in attempts at the end of regulation. Despite holding a
5-0 edge in shots in the 20 minutes of extra time, Richmond could
not break the tie.
Both teams had chances to break the deadlock in the second period.
Richmond's Jayson Perez hit the post in the 55th minute, while
Justin Smith of Campbell hit the woodwork just over a minute
later.
Girard had a chance to give the Camels a late lead, but his 90th
minute effort was wide.
In the 98th minute, Amons saved a shot from Brendan Cristobal and
the game went into a second extra session.
Amons thwarted 110th minute attempts by Justin Grove and Jed Antoun
and has allowed just one goal in 220 minutes this season.
The sophomore keeper from McLean, Va., finished the night with 7
saves, 4 of which came in the two extra periods. Richmond keeper
Brock Tomlinson had four stops.
Richmond (1-0-1) opened the year with a 3-2 victory over visiting
Longwood, the decisive goal coming on Schiff's 106th-minute
strike.
Campbell owns a 4-2-3 edge in the all-time series with the
Spiders. Last year at Buies Creek, Richmond dealt CU a 2-1 setback
as the Spiders scored on two of their three shots on goal.
The Camels return to action Tuesday at Davidson in a 7:00 p.m.
kick-off.
