MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - Putting together one of the best efforts of the young season, Berry's men's soccer team earned a 1-1 draw with No. 23 Covenant Tuesday evening at Bob Pearson Field.

"Going into the game, I was focused more on the performance, and we had a really good performance tonight," said Berry head coach Richard Vardy. "It was probably our best performance of the season so far."

Berry (1-0-3) ran its unbeaten streak to three to start the season with a solid all-around performance against an in-state rival. After a scoreless first half, the Vikings had two of the best chances of the game in the second half. In the 49th minute, Ian Bacchus slipped a ball past the Covenant goalkeeper that trickled slowly towards the gaping goal mouth, but it was cleared off the line just before it went across. Then in the 56th minute, Jacob Antoine rang a shot off the crossbar that bounced down and away from the goal, allowing the Scots (2-0-2) to clear.

Eventually in the 64th minute, the Vikings kicked the door down. Bacchus fed the ball across the box to a sliding Nathan Carlson, who nudged the ball into the net to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead.

Covenant would ramp up the pressure offensively, finally finding the equalizer in the 78th minute. Berry keeper Jose Palacios made a tremendous save on a ball heading for the far upper corner but the ball bundled away and was cleaned up by the Scots for the game-tying goal.

On the night, Palacios would make four saves, many of which were of the spectacular variety. However, on this night, honors would be shared as the Vikings posted their third tie in four games. "In previous seasons, we would have gone to golden goal overtime. Whether tonight would have led to a victory or the previous two, I don't know. I think there's going to be more ties this year than in previous seasons, not just for us but for all teams. It's a soccer thing and we're okay with it. Tonight was more about the performance and I think every game, we're getting better."

The Vikings will be back in action this Friday as part of a doubleheader against Maryville with the Berry women's soccer team. The twin bill kicks off at 5 p.m. at Bob Pearson Field.