JOLIET, Ill. --- Aided by Daniel Simon's first two goals of his collegiate career, the University of St. Francis men's soccer team rallied from a 4-1 halftime deficit to gain a 4-4 tie with Governors State University in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference play Wednesday night at Joliet Memorial Stadium.

Simon, who recorded his first collegiate assist earlier this year, provided the Fighting Saints' first and third goals on Wednesday.  The first tally came on assists from Pablo Rubio Guerra and Ander Santamarta on a ball that snuck just inside the right corner of the goal to produce the first tie of the night at one-all in the 24th minute.  The junior defender's second goal came on a free kick from Rogelio Valles and header from Andres Villa that Simon headed into the net to make it a 4-3 game at 59:54.

Three unanswered goals in an eight-minute span later in the first half propelled Governors State (1-8-1, 1-2-1 CCAC) to the 4-1 advantage with two of the three goals coming off free kicks.  Diego Camarena netted the fourth goal on a ball that bounced off a St. Francis defender at 40;11.

The Saints (6-3-1, 3-1-1) started their comeback four minutes into the second half when Jose Perez rifled his second of back-to-back shots past Governors State goalkeeper Marcol Salom Chandre. 

Pablo Rubio Guerra completed the comeback just before the 72nd minute.

Governors State attempted to regain the lead no less than eight times following USF's fourth goal, but to no avail as backup goalkeeper Nicholas Di Sandro made three saves in the closing 18 minutes.  Di Sandro came in at halftime for injured starter Erick Murillo and registered four saves on the night.

The Saints, meanwhile, totaled three shots after forcing the second tie with two coming on goal.

For the match, Governors State produced 27 shots to USF's 17 with each team amassing 11 shots on goal.

Notes: Rubio Guerra ran his goal-scoring streak to seven games with his late tally.  He also took over the team lead in total points with his fifth assist of the season to bring his point total to 23 … Perez's goal was his third of the season, while Santamarta's assist was his first of the campaign … Valles and Villa earned the first point of their collegiate careers with their assists on Wednesday night … Di Sandro pitched the second-half shutout in the first varsity appearance of his three-year collegiate career … Governors State's 27 shots on goal were the most by a St. Francis opponent this year … Both teams' 11 shots on goal were the second-most for USF and its opponent in 2023 … The Saints are back home on Saturday when they host Saint Xavier University in another league contest beginning at 3:30 pm.   

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