Sievert's late equalizer secures point for injury-riddled Griffins in 2-2 draw with Golden Bears

EDMONTON – For the seventh time in their Canada West history, the MacEwan Griffins and Alberta Golden Bears men's soccer teams played to a tie, drawing 2-2 on a sweltering Saturday afternoon at Clarke Stadium.

As with any draw, both sides will be equally satisfied and frustrated by it.

The Golden Bears carried more of the play and were holding a 2-1 lead when they had six corners in a three-minute span starting in the 74^th but couldn't find an insurance marker. 

MacEwan co-captain Jakob Sievert equalized in the 82^nd minute after a long through ball from Liam Van Laar to the top of the box went off a defender and onto his boot for a low strike inside the right post.

"It was honestly a really good ball from Liam," said Sievert. "I don't even remember how the ball got to me. It just got to my feet, and I tried to do the best I could with it. It worked in the moment, so we're happy to take a point here."

From their perspective, though, that could have been a game-winner as Alberta's second goal by Caden Ruby in the 58^th came after heavy contact on an aerial battle with Philip Wutzl that is often whistled down. It was protested vigorously on the field by several Griffins players to no avail.

"Anyone who understands a little bit about football sees right away that every 50-50 goes against us and then just having to deal with this and the weather is very frustrating," said Sievert, also alluding to the challenging 30C+ temperature at game time. "The second goal? Clear, clear foul, I have to be so honest. It's absolutely frustrating."

Alberta never trailed in the contest, building off a strong, but scoreless, opening half by hitting the scoresheet first in the 46^th minute when Ruby gained a two-on-one after winning an aerial battle on a through ball and sent Habib Assem in alone for his first of the season.

But Ali Yildiz, as he often does, gave the Griffins hope after he was taken down in the box and awarded a penalty kick. He made no mistake in the 55^th to tie the game.

Just over three minutes later, though, Ruby scored after emerging out of heavy contact with Wutzl on a breakaway, and the Bears appeared to be on their way.

Van Laar's re-emergence in the game proved to be huge, however. The second-year defender left as #27 with a nosebleed in the 53^rd minute and came back with a blood-free jersey (#25) in the 62^nd. Twenty minutes later, his long ball led to Sievert's tying goal.

"It was tough luck," said Griffins head coach Adam Loga. "Liam got a nosebleed, so we had to pull him out because we didn't want to go down to 10 men just given the heat. But Liam came back in and made a play.

"Jakob was good as sweeping the midfield for most of the game. It fell to him in an opportune place, and he made no mistake."

With the result, the Griffins improve to 0-2-1 on the young season, while the Bears are now 1-1-1.

Kaleb Lutz made five saves for MacEwan, while Trystan Read stopped two for Alberta.

"I think it was a victory in our own right," said Loga of the draw. "We're missing Chance Carter … Oleks Popravka and 3-5 starters. Guys are still injured and hobbling in. We only dressed 17 today, we didn't even dress a full lineup. So, to get a result against a team like this just shows the effort the guys put in."

Next up for the Griffins is a pair of home games on Sept. 6 vs. Saskatchewan and Sept. 7 vs. Lethbridge (both Edmonton Scottish, Canada West TV).