Guelph United FC battled more than just the visiting team on Friday night, they battled unfriendly winds.
Despiste strong wind gusts up to 70 km/h that made the ball highly unpredictable on the field, United drew their match against Pickering FC 3-3.
Pickering FC struck first and fast at Alumni Stadium. Within the first two minutes of the game, Eric Savvas took advantage of the wind blowing down Guelph’s attempt to clear the box and beat goalkeeper Sam Speolstra down low.
Guelph captain Jace Kotsopoulos would quickly tie the game up on a penalty kick earned by Reggie Laryea.
Despite a good showing by Guelph, the lead didn’t last long as Pickering found the back of the net again in the 37th minute as the visitors took a 2-1 lead into the half.
The second half didn’t start much better than the first. Pickering's Nigel Buckley scored another goal for the visiting team, doubling their lead over Guelph.
However, the fans who braved the chill were treated to a late surge from the home team as they came back to earn a draw. Kotsopolous was on fire as he scored two more times within the last four minutes of regular time to earn his first hat trick of the season.
United is now 5-2-3 on the season and is just clinging onto a playoff spot as they approach the halfway point.
Their next match will see them on the road to St. Catharine’s to face 19th-place St. Catherine’s Roma on Friday.
