Madonna University Athletics

FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- Alex Peytoureau converted a penalty kick in the 90th minute as Madonna erased a two-goal halftime deficit to earn a 2-2 draw against Saint Francis (Ind.) (Ind.) on Saturday, Aug. 29, at Bishop D'Arcy in Fort Wayne, Ind. The tying goal came at 89:09 and completed a second-half comeback that moved Madonna to 1-0-2.

Madonna nearly struck first when Madonna Onishi Haraki Haraki sent a shot off the crossbar at 18:40, but Saint Francis (Ind.) took the lead eight minutes later. Rezik Dahbor scored at 26:56 from a Quinn Clayton assist, and Unax Mendia doubled the advantage at 41:36 after receiving a pass from Rodrigo Santos. Those goals sent Saint Francis (Ind.) into halftime with a 2-0 lead.

A key defensive play helped keep the comeback within reach early in the second half. Fabian Schlechte made a defensive save on a header at 53:23, preventing Saint Francis (Ind.) from extending its lead. Just over three minutes later, Daniel Watkins scored at 56:37 off an assist from Cynric Jacob, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Daniel Watkins finished with three shots, including two on goal, while playing all 90 minutes.

Madonna continued to press and eventually earned the late penalty that Alex Peytoureau put away. The goal was Alex Peytoureau's only shot on target among two attempts. Cynric Jacob contributed one shot on goal in addition to the assist, while Afonso Henrique played the full match in goal and made three saves.

The teams each finished with 12 shots and six shots on goal, but Madonna generated a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks. Saint Francis (Ind.), which moved to 0-2-1, committed 19 fouls to Madonna's 12. After being held scoreless in the first half, Madonna produced both goals after the break and secured the draw with Alex Peytoureau's finish in the final minute.

The Crusaders are back in action on Tuesday, September 1st in a big home opener against No. 19 Indiana Wesleyan University. Kick off is set for 1:00 PM.