The No. 10 Blinn College men’s soccer team battled Paris Junior College to a 2-2 draw in Region 14 competition Saturday at Rankin Field in Brenham.
The Buccaneers moved to 3-2-1 overall and 2-1-1 in Region 14 play. Blinn controlled much of the offensive action, holding advantages in both shots and corner kicks, but was unable to find a late go-ahead goal.
Freshman forward Vukasin Ivanovic accounted for both Blinn goals, increasing his season total to six through six matches.
Blinn struck early when Ivanovic found the back of the net in the sixth minute. Freshman midfielder Robbie Paredes beat his defender and set up Ivanovic for the finish past the Paris goalkeeper.
The Dragons answered in the 31st minute to tie the match at 1-1.
Blinn regained the lead in the 40th minute after midfielder Noah Schroder was taken down inside the penalty area, resulting in a penalty kick. Ivanovic converted the opportunity, sending his attempt into the back-right corner of the net for his second goal of the match.
The performance marked Ivanovic’s second brace of the season.
Paris pulled even again in the 51st minute, and neither team was able to break the deadlock over the remainder of the contest.
The Buccaneers generated consistent offensive pressure throughout the match, finishing with a 22-15 advantage in shots and an 8-2 edge in corner kicks.
Sophomore goalkeeper Samir Bristol started for Blinn and made three saves during the opening 37 minutes. Freshman goalkeeper Ian Aitboughima played the final 53 minutes and recorded five saves.
Despite the draw, Blinn extended its lengthy unbeaten streak against Paris. The Buccaneers have not lost to the Dragons since Sept. 18, 2018, Blinn’s inaugural season. Since that defeat, Blinn is unbeaten in its past 13 matches against Paris with an 11-0-2 record.
Blinn will step away from Region 14 competition when it hosts Southwestern Christian College at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at Rankin Field.
The Buccaneers will look to complete a season sweep of the Rams after earning a 4-0 road victory over Southwestern Christian on Aug. 21 in Terrell.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and has captured 53 national championships since 1987.
