WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Oct. 5) – The Waynesburg University men's soccer team hosted Washington & Jefferson on Wednesday night for a Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) showdown at John F. Wiley Stadium. The visitors struck first, but the Yellow Jackets rebounded to tie the score and pick up a 1-1 tie against the Presidents.
 
Though Waynesburg (3-3-5, 1-0-3) was unable to grab a victory, the draw ended the Orange and Black's five-game losing streak to W&J (6-4-1, 3-1-1), which is the number-two team in the PAC. Wednesday night's final score also extended the home team's current unbeaten streak to four games.
 
The Presidents opened the scoring 12:30 into the first half on a penalty kick. Just over eight minutes later, Waynesburg found the back of the net thanks to the efforts of senior Samuel Hawkins (St. Mary's County, Md. / Great Mills) and sophomore Connor Jacobs (Waynesboro, Pa. / Waynesboro). With the Jackets on the break, Jacobs was able to set up Hawkins, who found the back of the net for the equalizer.
 
The score stayed tied at 1-1 until the halftime break and into the second half. Both teams produced quality scoring opportunities, but their respective keepers were up to the challenge and traded save after save over the final 45 minutes of the draw.
 
Not surprisingly, most of the statistics from Wednesday's game reflect the final score. W&J held a 17-14 advantage in total shots, while the Jackets edged the Presidents in shots on goal (8-7). Hawkins, Jacobs and sophomore Seth Massotti (Douglass, Mass. / Whitinsville Christian) each logged two shots on goal.
 
Sophomore Michael Francus (Bethel Park, Pa. / Bethel Park) continued to perform like one of the conference's top goalkeepers by recording six saves over 90 minutes in net.
 
Waynesburg is back in action on Saturday, Oct. 8, when it hosts Allegheny for another conference tilt. Start time is scheduled for 6 p.m.