The Tribune

MIAMI, Florida — It was an intense international opener for the University of The Bahamas Mingoes men’s soccer team but, in the end, they settled for the 3-3 draw against Atlantis University at the Kendall Soccer Park in Miami, Florida, yesterday.

UB shared the goals as captain Ronaldo Green and newcomers Nahum Johnson and Clerdjivensky Clerjuste got on the scoresheet. 

Head coach Alex Thompson said his team played well. 

“We brought a few talented freshmen, and they had to step right up and played some key roles for us. I think CJ (Clerjuste), and Keno Thomas did well in their first international start,” Thompson said. 

“They were under the stead with great leadership from Green, Junior Kelly and Joshua Johnson.”

Nahum Johnson wasted no time in his UB debut – getting the breakaway on a pass from Clerjuste on the left side of the field. 

His initial shot was blocked but he put it away on the rebound off the goalkeeper in the first minute.

“I saw the opportunity. I did my job, and it gave the team more momentum seeing that it was in the first minute,” Johnson said.

UB had some more scoring opportunities in the first half, but it was Atlantis who scored in the 31st minute to tie it up at 1-1.

The first half ended 1-1. That all changed in the 49th minute when Atlantis went up 2-1.

Clerjuste collected a pass from Green in UB’s attacking third and dribbled it into Atlantis’ 18-yard box before sending the ball past the goalkeeper to tie it up at 2-2 in the 68th minute.

“It meant a lot for me playing over here. I thought it was going to be harder than this. I thought I did well playing in the United States,” Clerjuste said.

One minute later, Atlantis got ahead 3-2. That scoreline was short-lived as newcomer Jamario Charles was fouled at the top of the 18-yard box to set up a UB free-kick in the 74th minute.

Green, who was UB’s leading goal scorer last season, took charge of the free kick. Green sent the ball low and into the back of the net to equalise the game at 3-3.

UB had a chance to get the win late in the game, but it was futile. 

Green liked the way the team played. 

“We played against a good opponent who had a well-rounded team. I think we could have come out with the win. We will look to improve and go again. We have much improved and we had the game in our hands,” Green said.

They return to action against the same team on Saturday at the same location. Kick-off is at 10.30am.