ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Nathan Ferguson hadn't scored a goal in 23 months entering Saturday's match against Slippery Rock University, but the senior from Scarborough, Ontario, delivered when the Roberts Wesleyan University men's soccer team needed him the most.
Ferguson corralled a free kick by Tamas Nagy deep in the box, eluded the Slippery Rock keeper and deposited the ball in the net with 48.4 seconds to play as the Redhawks rallied for a 1-1 tie in the non-conference matchup on Homecoming Weekend.
"It felt good," said Ferguson, who switched from forward to defense early in the 2022 season. "I was a little nervous after the first touch because once I was past the keeper it was going wide, but I was able to bring it back and put it in."
The goal was the fourth of Ferguson's career and first since he scored two in a 5-1 win over Queens College on Oct. 16, 2021. He ranked second on the team in goals (three) and points (eight) during the 2021 season, before moving to center back and earning second-team All-East Coast Conference honors last fall. The timely tally kept the Redhawks (2-3-3) at .500 for the season.
 "As many shots as we block and passes we intercept as a team, it doesn't do anything to change the score," Ferguson said. "So it always feels good to get a goal."
Roberts was unable to convert on its early chances and Slippery Rock capitalized on an opportunity and grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 63^rd minute.
The Redhawks regrouped and turned up the offensive pressure, eventually netting the equalizer in the 90^th minute.
"We've seen that passion and intensity in moments of games this season," Redhawks coach Scott Reber said. "We'd like to see more moments of it throughout games."
Junior goalkeeper Caleb DaSilva made two saves for the Redhawks.
Roberts returns to action at 4 p.m. Wednesday for an ECC match at Molloy.