Several times recently, Franklin men's soccer had been in the uncomfortable position of having to dig out of an early deficit.
On Saturday, the Grizzlies struck early — and then again late — to end a seven-match losing streak, coming away with a 2-2 draw at Mount St. Joseph.
Senior
Russell Bilohlavek got Franklin (0-8-3, 0-2-1 HCAC) on the board first when he converted off of a
Tripp O'Brien assist just over six minutes into the action. The Lions evened the score on a penalty kick in the 15th minute, and the two teams remained deadlocked at 1-1 through the end of the first half.
Mount St. Joseph then claimed the lead less than two minutes into the second half. Franklin fought back, getting three shots off over the next 12-plus minutes and an attempt on goal from O'Brien in the 81st minute, but it appeared the Grizzlies were doomed to a one-goal defeat — until Bilohlavek struck again, taking a feed from freshman
Ulises Rivera and converting the tying goal with just 2:56 to play.
Freshman goalkeeper
Austin White made a career-high eight saves to help keep the Grizzlies within striking distance.
Franklin returns to action on Wednesday evening (7 p.m.) at Earlham.
