Conaway, Ballinger Force 2-2 Tie With No. 13 Calvin

Mark Ballinger scored the game-tying goal with 5:59 remaining.

WOOSTER, Ohio — The College of Wooster overcame a 2-0 deficit with just over 10 minutes remaining Wednesday, forcing a tie in its home opener against 13th-ranked Calvin College, and then both teams had shots hit the crossbar during the overtimes before settling for a 2-2 deadlock.

Down by two scores and the clock starting to become an issue, Wooster (2-0-2) took advantage of an opportunity when Brian Conaway was fouled inside the box with 10:16 left. Conaway converted the penalty kick, kicking the ball low and center as the goalkeeper dove to his right. It marked the 35th goal of his career.

Less than five minutes later, Conaway had possession in the left corner and crossed it towards the front of the net, where an open Mark Ballinger calmly redirected the ball passed the ‘keeper and into the left side of the goal.

Calvin’s goals also came close together, as the Knights’ Peter Malefyt converted a penalty kick in the 56th minute and Kurt Visker blasted a shot through the Scot defense following a quick touch of a free kick.

Ballinger nearly scored a game-winner, as a header early in the first overtime hit the crossbar, while the Knights’ Levi Kool booted a long drive that hit the bottom of the crossbar with about one minute to go in the second extra session.

David Treleven for Wooster and Joe Westra of Calvin posted four and six saves, respectively.

Overall, the Scots outshot their visitors 22-18, but the Knights had more corner kicks (9-6).

Next up for Wooster, is a weekend trip to Heidelberg College, where it will play Alma College (0-1) Saturday and then the hosts (3-1) on Sunday. Both matches will start at 3:30 p.m.