It was a rain filled encounter on Saturday night as FC Davis battled Academica SC to a 2-2 draw in a heavy downpour.
The weather normally wouldn’t be issue for Davis, as 6 of the 8 Golden Gate Conference clubs play on turf fields.
Academica SC, as it would be, has one of the most pristine grass stadiums in the state.
The home sides ground crew did an amazing job keeping the surface playable, but no amount of work could keep the players from both sides slipping and sliding around the pitch.
The game kicked off with Academica scoring first. A back pass skipped away from the FC Davis back-line and onto a streaking Cody Golbad to give the home-side a 1-0 advantage.
It was a common theme in the match, as both sides had trouble finding the proper weight to put on passes.
With the conditions and the scoreline going against Davis, the first place side were just beginning to find their way into the match when 2018 All-Conference player Miguel Acevedo pulled up with a hamstring injury dealing a major blow to the attack.
With their backs against the wall, Davis began to fight back in the rain, creating chances through the right flank duo of Evan Barrett and Justin Wright.
Once Acevedo went down, the two took over the game offensively, creating numerous chances for the Lions.
Still, the halftime whistle blew with the scoreline reading 0-1 in favor of Academica.
The second half started with the rain coming down even harder. Davis came out with more energy in search of the equalizing goal.
30 minutes went by with FC Davis taking shots that went everywhere but in the net.
Some shots went high. Others wide. Academica’s back-line also did a stout job of blocking many balls headed towards the net.
Just when a feeling began to sink in that maybe this wasn’t their night, Onah Power was able to get on the end of a corner and direct it towards net. FC Davis center back Joe King found the ball coming right towards him and redirected the shot past the Academica goal keeper to level the game at 1-1 in the ‘75 minute.
Momentum was in the Lions favor, but right after nearly going ahead 2-1 off a Barrett cross to Joe Skvarna, Academica was able to finish off a corner of their own to go ahead 1-2 in the ‘79 minute.
Within minutes, FC Davis equalized through a Joe Skvarna put back in the ‘81 minute to cap a wild five minute period within the game.
A few half chances came for both teams in the final ten minutes but neither side were able to capitalize but the time the final whistle blew.
FC Davis retained their first place standing with a 2-2 draw.
Academica climbed into fourth place, four points behind leaders FC Davis.
A massive June is ahead for the Lions, where they will play San Ramon and Sacramento Gold at home while traveling to Sonoma Sol and Napa Valley 1839.
FC Davis’ next home game is Saturday night, June 1st at 7:00 PM vs San Ramon FC!
Tickets are available online now!