CIU Clinches AAC Tournament Berth After 3-3 Draw Against Pikeville

Columbia International University Battles Back to Secure 3-3 Draw Against Pikeville

A late-game surge at Sessions Field on Saturday afternoon kept Columbia International University’s momentum alive, as the Rams clawed back from a deficit to finish in a 3-3 draw against the University of Pikeville. The hard-fought tie officially clinches the Rams’ entry into the upcoming AAC tournament.

For the opening 17 minutes of the contest, the script looked entirely different from how it would eventually finish. CIU controlled the tempo early, launching an aggressive offensive attack that yielded two quick goals. Nathan King broke the scoreless tie in the 15th minute, sliding a shot past the Pikeville defense off an assist from Ive Celic. Just over two minutes later, Julian Rodriguez doubled the advantage with an unassisted strike in the 17th minute, putting the Rams ahead 2-0.

That two-goal cushion evaporated right before the halftime whistle. Pikeville found the back of the net in the final minute of the opening half, cutting the deficit to 2-1 and shifting the psychological momentum across the pitch. The visitors capitalized on that shift immediately after the break, evening the score at 2-2 in the 52nd minute before breaking through again in the 67th minute to capture a 3-2 lead.

Chasing an Equalizer in the Closing Minutes

Facing a late deficit, the Rams ratcheted up the pressure on the Pikeville backline. The sustained offensive push paid dividends in the 86th minute. Rodriguez found space and connected once more with Celic, burying his second goal of the afternoon to level the match at 3-3.

CIU did not sit back after tying the contest. The Rams recorded three additional shots in the dying moments of regulation, hunting for a go-ahead winner that ultimately remained out of reach before the final whistle sounded.

Rodriguez finished the afternoon leading the Rams with two goals on five total shots, while King contributed the team’s opening score. Celic played a hand in all three offensive conversions, tallying two assists. Goalkeeper Vasilios Diakomihalis anchored the defense across all 90 minutes, recording five saves as CIU finished with 14 shots, including seven on target, and secured a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks.

Looking Ahead to the AAC Quarterfinals

The draw secures CIU’s postseason berth. The Rams will hit the road to face Truett McConnell University in the AAC Quarterfinals on November 3, 2026, at 7:00 PM.