EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- The University of Evansville men's soccer team was able to come back from an early second-half deficit to tie the Lindenwood Lions 2-2.

Forward Kai Phillip and winger Nkosi Graham gave the Purple Aces their two goals to earn a point against Lindenwood in a chaotic Wednesday evening matchup. Forward Nacho Diaz Barragan and midfielder David Hernandez led UE in shots with three apiece, while Barragan and midfielder Carlos Barcia put two shots on goal each. Goalkeeper Jacob Madden made two saves while allowing two goals through 90 minutes.

"As opposed to our last game, after Kai scored [the first goal] we kind of took off and tonight we took it for granted in our effort which started to lack a little bit," said Interim Head Coach Robbe Tarver post-match. "We gave a team like Lindenwood some hope with a soft goal we don't want to concede ever. But credit to them because they started creating chances and putting pressure on us. And I don't think we handled that well, which is disappointing because we talk a lot about responding to moments in the game. And we didn't do that tonight."

The Aces found themselves up early in the 18th minute as Phillip scored his fourth goal in three games. On a cross from Hernandez, Phillip pulled a turn around a Lions player just outside the penalty arc sending the ball into the top right corner of the net. Evansville had the offensive momentum for a shot Barcia in the 26th minute. But Lindenwood found an opportunity nine minutes later on a broken defensive play from UE, tying the game in the 35th minute. The teams headed into the half break with a goal each and three on-target shots.

The second half began with a trio of corner kicks for the Aces, but it would the Lions who made the next move. Lindenwood made its second goal in the 55th minute, beating Madden on the far right side. Evansville responded quickly with two shots on goal in the following four minutes. Momentum swung between the two teams until UE tied the game back up in the 74th minute. Graham scored his first goal of the year on a header in the goal area thanks to a long cross down in the left corner from defender Nacho Diaz-Carneja. The Aces used the goal to spur four more chances, but couldn't quite find the net again, earning a point in the 2-2 draw. 

Evansville begins Missouri Valley Conference play on Saturday evening. UE heads to Des Moines, Iowa to face the Drake Bulldogs for the first MVC game of 2023. Kick-off from Cownie Soccer Complex is set for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+