SALISBURY, N.C. – The Converse University men's soccer team hung with one of the top teams in the Southeast Region on Wednesday night when they finished in a 4-4 tie with Catawba College.
 
Converse (2-1-1) has now scored four goals for the first time in program history and for the third time this season the Valkyries offense has registered at least four goals in a match. For Catawba (4-0-1) this was their first non-winning result of the season.
 
In the 29^th minute of action Ryan Zupa passed to Hayden Gensler for the games first goal of the season. Moments later Salano Birch tied the game in the 32^nd minute, but Gero Wolters converted on his second penalty kick of the season to give the Valkyries a 2-1 advantage. Just before the halftime break, Catawba tied up the game with another goal by Birch.
 
In the second half, Nico Morillo and the Catawba offense came out aggressive and Morillo scored a pair of goals in the first 10-minutes of action. The Valkyries battled back with a goal by Gensler in the 59^th minute of action. Moments later Jaxon Keene scored the equalizer for the Valkyries.
 
Gensler led the offense with two goals on the night and tied for a team high three shots on goal. The freshman finished second on the team with four total shots against Catawba. Gero Wolters led the team with seven total shots on the night and tied for the team lead with three shots on target. David Windmiller made four saves in the tie for Converse on Wednesday night.

First Half Notes:

• 29^th minute, Hayden Gensler scores on a pass from Ryan Zupa.
• 32^nd minute, Salano Birch heads the ball in off a corner kick from Joseph Alleron.
• 33^rd minute, Gero Wolters gives the Valkyries a 2-1 lead following a penalty kick
• 37^th minute, Salano Birch scores on an empty net and was assisted by Joseph Alleron and Saulo Dantas.
• 41^st minute, Ben Bielby picks up a yellow card for Catawba.
• Converse outshot Catawba 12-6 in the opening half of play, the Valkyries recorded five corner kicks and committed 9 fouls in the opening period.

Second Half Notes:

• 46^th minute, Nico Morillo scores on a pass from Simone Trentin to give Catawba the lead.
• 55^th minute, Nico Morillo and Simone Trentin connect once again and the Catawba Indians held a 4-2 advantage.
• 59^th minute, Hayden Gensler scores his second goal of the game to pull the Valkyries within a score.
• 59^th minute, Simone Trentin picks up a yellow card for Catawba.
• 62^nd minute, Jaxon Keene scored the equalizer for the Valkyries.
• 97^th minute, Maurice Niklos picks up a yellow card for Converse.
• 105^th minute, Gero Wolters is given yellow card for the Valkyries.  

Next Up:
Converse will host Chowan University on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m.

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