Contributed
(August 30, 2010)

Senior Stefan Arnarson came off the bench to score two goals and help the No. 17-ranked Auburn University at Montgomery men’s soccer team salvage a 3-3 double-overtime tie against Graceland University in the finale of the AUM Fall Kickoff Classic on Sunday at the AUM Soccer Complex.
 
Arnarson, along with several other regular starters for the Senators (1-1-1), came off the bench in Sunday’s contest, as six freshman and just two regulars started the match.
 
The Senators fell behind early in the match after the Yellowjackets’ Killon Foster intercepted a pass by AUM’s defense and quickly passed to Kasy Kiarash for a goal just 9:18 into the contest.
 
“We wanted to send a message that we were not satisfied with the performance on Friday,” head coach Wulf-Dieter Koch said. “I thought the six freshmen we put out there did a good job, but one of their mistakes led to the first goal we allowed. We still have a lot of growing to do as a unit.”
 
The goal concluded the scoring in the first half, as Graceland (0-1-1) took a 1-0 advantage to the intermission.
 
In the second period, Arnarson tied the score in the 57th minute on a penalty kick, but Orin Branker put the Yellowjackets back on top, 2-1, in the 73rd minute.
 
Arnarson had another opportunity to tie the score with a penalty kick in the 78th minute, but his shot was saved by Graceland keeper, Gage Tubbs. However, just seconds later, sophomore newcomers Tornubari Nyonebue scored off of a deflected corner kick to again tie the score and give him his first goal with the Senators. Senior Gunnar Kristinsson and junior Chris Ross each assisted on the goal.
 
Late in the contest, AUM took its lone lead of the match, when Arnarson blasted a pass from freshman Goffin Boyoko for a goal with less than four minutes left in regulation. The goal gave the Senators a 3-2 lead, which lasted less than 10 seconds, as the Yellowjackets took the possession following the goal and worked directly through the center of the AUM defense. Kiarash scored for the second time in the match three seconds following Arnarson’s goal to force overtime.
 
“The season is still very young, but today’s match was a microcosm of our frustration to this point,” Koch continued. “Through just three games, it has been a rollercoaster ride. Right now, we need to get healthy and get back to the basics of playing fundamental soccer.
 
Following two 10-minute overtime periods, the match was called a draw.
 
AUM finished the match with 21 shots, nine more than the Yellowjackets. Arnarson and Nyonebue led the Senators with 11 combined shots, while junior Steve Keller finished with four saves in goal.
 
“Once we get a little more comfortable with each other, I think we will be alright,” Koch added. “We are playing a tough schedule early in an effort to prepare us for the challenges of conference play, and I think that is what we are really all working toward.”
 
The Senators will return to action on Friday, September 3, when they hosts Milligan College in the AUM Capital City Classic. The match is scheduled to being at 4 p.m. at the AUM Soccer Complex.