FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Barry University soccer standout Mark Anderson scored his first career goal Wednesday night, lifting the Strikers to a 3-3 come-from-behind draw in Carolina.
The Strikers trailed 3-1 in the 65th minute, but pulled within a goal when second-half substitute Darnell King made a long run into the penalty area and laid an excellent pass off to Walter Restrepo, who shot high and away from the reach of RailHawks goalkeeper Ray Burse.
King would have to be substituted in the 73rd minute with an apparent hamstring injury. His replacement, Mark Anderson, would be the difference maker for the Strikers. In the 77th minute, Anderson collected a Restrepo pass near the top right corner of the box, and sent a curling shot over the diving hand of Burse into the far corner of the goal to tie the match at 3-3.
"The last goal was unbelievable," said Strikers head coach Daryl Shore. "We're just happy to get out of here with a point."
The Strikers currently sit in second place in the standings with nine points, just one back of the league-leading Puerto Rico Islanders.
Anderson and the Strikers will travel to Bayamon, Puerto Rico to battle the Islanders this Saturday beginning at 7:30 p.m.
You can watch a replay of Anderson’s game-tying goal HERE. The goal comes in the 77’, 1:30 into the game footage.
Saturday’s match against the Islanders can be seen live through the Fort Lauderdale Strikers website, HERE.