Box Score Summary:
Spurgeon College met Manhattan Christian College on Friday, September 6^th, at the Central Bank Sporting Complex for an exciting, double-header tailgate as both men and women's soccer teams competed. The eager audience of friends and fans gathered to witness the thrilling face-off as Spurgeon pulled off a sensational comeback victory.
 
How it Happened:
Manhattan Christian College took an early lead. At the 32 minute mark, it was 2-0 for Manhattan. The Spurgeon fans were quiet, but hope was not lost. The tension grew as the game continued, with two Spurgeon players receiving yellow cards and abundant fouls on both sides. However, Spurgeon College didn't let this deter their spirit and came back stronger in the second half.
 
Spurgeon's revival was initiated by Joao Pedro Pereira, who scored at 55:47, assisted by Rylen Ballard. The home crowd erupted in cheer. The comeback had begun! However, the game-changing moment came when James Nkwanda scored twice within a minute. He first struck at 78:28 with an assist from Sage Ballard and again at 79:01 with Pereira assisting. Nkwanda's contributions were crucial in Spurgeon's victory. The rest of the second half was marked by fouls, cautions, ejections, and injuries as the two teams battled to the end. However, the Knights held to their advantage and took a thrilling 3-2 victory over Manhattan Christian College.
 
Highlights:

• Joao Pedro Pereira was the spark that ignited Spurgeon's comeback. His goal and assist were crucial in turning the tide of the game.
• James Nkwanda's two quick goals not only brought Spurgeon back into the game but also sealed the victory.
• Gabriel Farenzena, Spurgeon's goalkeeper, made five key saves, ensuring the lead secured by Nkwanda and Pereira remained intact.
• Spurgeon College displayed a fantastic team effort. Despite being down by two goals in the first half, the team's spirit lifted them to a remarkable comeback.

 
Up Next:
Men's soccer has another home game on September 10^th against Union Adventist University. This is followed by a series of away games. Stay tuned for more updates on your Spurgeon Knights!