Northern came into the game Wednesday with Murray State needing a win or a tie to move closer to clinching a second conference championship in five months. Despite dominating the game statistically the Mavs settled for a 1-1 tie, and will now play National Park College Thursday.
The Mavs could lock up the conference championship with two wins in their last two games.
It looked like the Mavs were on the board early with a goal just one minute into the game, but the goal was disallowed due to an offside call. A minute later the Aggies would get on the scoreboard with a goal just two minutes into the game. Northern seemingly would tie the game on several occasions in the first half. Jaron Frye broke in behind the defense and his shot beat the Murray State goalkeeper, but the ball hit the post and caromed back into the field of play. The nations leading goal scorer, Damorney Hutchinson, had several good chances, but missed or the Aggie goalkeeper made the save.
The second half started with an early Maverick goal by Jesus Aleman, but once again the goal was nullified by an offside call. Moments later though the Mavs would finally break through. The Aggie goalkeeper made a bad pass that was intercepted by Kevin Ayala. Ayala calmly passed the ball into the empty net for his first goal as a Maverick.
Northern kept pressure on the Murray State goal for the remainder of the second half and through two overtime periods, but could not get the game winner.
"It was a strange game as they almost always seem to be when we play Murray State.," said coach Michael DuRoy. "It was one of those days that happen in soccer where the ball just will not go in the net. We had twenty-eight shots. Their keeper made fifteen saves. I give the guys credit for fighting through it and getting the tie. I thought our bench was great today. Those guys came in and made a difference. Now the pressure is on to get the win tomorrow against National Park, but to be honest we have been under pressure since last April. That's what happens when you are in first place. Each game is more important than the last."
