MEMPHIS, TN. — With the clock nearly at zero and Christian Brothers staring at defeat, Lauri Orava delivered a moment Signaigo Field won't soon forget.
Orava scored with just 14 seconds remaining, sending the CBU crowd into a frenzy and lifting the Buccaneers to a dramatic 2-2 draw against Montevallo on Wednesday night. The result moved CBU to 3-3-1 overall and 1-0-1 in Gulf South Conference play.
The crowd's energy fueled a wild second half. Montevallo struck first in the 37th minute on a goal from Egecan Inceman, sending CBU into halftime trailing 1-0.
The Buccaneers responded quickly after the break. Christopher Armitage found the back of the net at the 53:12 mark for his second goal of the season, bringing CBU level at 1-1.
The match appeared headed for heartbreak when Montevallo's Joaquin Wladdimiro scored in the 89th minute, giving the Falcons a 2-1 advantage with less than two minutes remaining.
CBU refused to quit.
With the crowd behind them and the final seconds ticking away, the Bucs pushed forward for one last chance. John O'Connor helped set up Orava, who delivered the game-tying goal at 89:46.
Signaigo Field erupted.
Players rushed to celebrate as the CBU faithful went wild after witnessing an improbable equalizer with only 14 seconds left. The goal was Orava's second of the season and capped a frantic finish to the conference matchup.
CBU finished with a 13-6 advantage in shots, including seven attempts in the opening half and six more after halftime. Goalkeeper Grant Clothier recorded four saves for the Buccaneers.
The final score may have read 2-2, but the final seconds felt like much more for the Buccaneers
