JOHNSON CITY, TENN. – Dorion Dixon and Yoshiya Okawa each scored for the second time in as many games, but the Radford Men's Soccer team dropped a road contest at ETSU on Saturday night.

"I know that we are going to learn a lot from this game," said Head Coach Chris Barrett. "We were poor in all areas of the game in the first half. We had the right attitude and work ethic in the second half and played much better."
 
The Buccaneers controlled much of the possession in the first half, dominating chances and causing all kinds of problems for the Radford defense. Tarik Pannholer hit a volley into the bottom, right corner of the net to open the scoring in the 12^th minute and Gabriel Ramos doubled ETSU's lead in the 23^rd minute.
 
Jack Perry then extended the hosts' lead to 3-0 in the 35^th minute, curling a right-footed shot through a crowd of defenders and just inside the far post.
 
Radford looked like an entirely new team in the second half however, led by Dixon who came off the bench. The senior from Chantilly, Va. was in the right place at the right time in the 67^th minute as a set piece crossed ricocheted off a defender and landed in his path. He stepped into the shot and slid it right past the keeper.
 
Not to be outdone, Okawa showed off his cannon of a leg with a blast from way deep that soared directly into the upper-right corner of the net to pull the Highlanders within one.
 
Radford continued to push for the equalizing goal and looked as though they may find it with several more chances being created. But ETSU had other plans and sealed the game away with an insurance goal in the 84^th minute.

"Unfortunately we dug ourselves a huge hole in the first half," continued Coach Barrett. "Hopefully the team learned that we have to be focused and ready from the first minute to the last. I was pleased with our reaction in the second half and we will build on that as we work hard to improve every day."
 
HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME

70' | Radford 2, ETSU 3

A #SCTop10 strike if we've ever seen one! Freshman Yoshiya Okawa hits a BEAUTIFUL left-footed ball into the upper 90 to pull Radford within one! @ESPNAssignDesk#RiseAndDefend x #BigSouthMSOC pic.twitter.com/EAjqeAvHCy

— Radford Men's Soccer (@RadfordMSOC) September 5, 2021

 
KEY STATS

• Seniors Max-Emilios Angelides and Patrick Siczek went the full 90 minutes
• Dixon led the team with four shot attempts while Okawa put all three of his shots on frame
• Joseba Incera got the start in goal and made three saves, including a big kick save in the 62^nd minute that kept the door open for Radford's comeback efforts

 
UP NEXT
On Saturday, Sept. 11, Radford welcomes old Big South foe Liberty to Cupp Stadium for a 6 p.m. contest. The game is open to the public and free of admission. It will be streamed live on ESPN+ as well.
 
FOLLOW RADFORD MEN'S SOCCER
For more information on the Radford men's soccer team follow @RadfordMSOC on Twitter and Instagram or Radford Men's Soccer on Facebook.