HATTIESBURG, Miss. – A game in which William Carey were made to rue their missed chances, the Crusaders & the Wildcats both came away with a share of the spoils.
 
In a half of little action, both teams had the opportunity to break the deadlock, but neither were successful. It was the Crusaders who got off to the bright start as they won two corners in the opening 4 minutes. However, no one was on hand to turn either of Caoimhin McConnell's crosses into the back of the net.
 
The opening ten minutes was spent by each team feeling out their opponent, with fouls exchanged by both sides. The Crusaders controlled much of it but were only able to muster one solitary shot on target courtesy of Jamie Wynne with the Crusader defense rarely allowing the Wildcats over the half-way line.
 
As the half progressed, the Wildcats would grow into the game, retaining more possession and beginning to venture into the Carey half. LCU would muster their first shot on target of the half around the 30 minute mark, forcing a sprawling save from Henry Hempshaw. The resulting corner, LCU's first of the half, would eventually lead to nothing.
 
The second half started off much the same as the first as Carey won a corner in the opening 4 minutes. Much like the first half, it proved unfruitful. The opening ten minutes would also follow suit as the cagey affair was dominated by fouls on both teams and few chances.
 
It was in the 62^nd minute that the Wildcats would break the deadlock. A ball down the Wildcats left hand side, which then would be driven low across the box, evaded the defense and was finished well at the back post high into the net at the keeper's near post.
 
The following 10-15 minutes would be a back and forth battle of near opportunities and physical play from both sides. The Crusaders battling to get back into the game and the Wildcats trying to hang on to a narrow lead and possibly extend it on the counter-attack. Wynne would have two shots blocked back to back and a couple of headers would go wayward from Carey corners and crosses.
 
Carey's offensive pressure eventually bore fruit as they would get their equalizer in the 78^th minute. A McConnell corner would land right in the middle of the 6-yard box. What ensued could be described as a game of pinball as the ball would ricochet off numerous shins before eventually being rifled into the roof of the net by Kolby Godbolt.
 
Carey would keep up the pressure for the remaining 12 minutes as they went on the hunt for a late winner. A slew of wasted opportunities would sum up the Crusaders day as the game would go on to finish 1 apiece.
 
The Crusaders are back in action September 12^th, as they host Florida National at 6 PM at Danny Owens Field.