AMSTERDAM – Ingolstadt midfielder Alfredo Morales started the new 2.Bundesliga season with a bang, nodding home the away side's goal in a 1-1 draw on Saturday at St. Pauli.
The US international first tested Pirates netminder Philipp Tschauner with a header in the 25th minute, drawing an excellent save. Morales got his revenge just before the break by nodding into the to corner from a free kick.
The midfielder was again denied by Tschauner on twin chances just past the hour mark, and was then foiled by a saving tackle in a 79th-minute scramble shortly after St. Pauli leveled matters. Morales eventually departed four minutes from time after experiencing a cramp.
Around the league, Red Bull Leipzig opened their campaign without injured summer catch Terrence Boyd, settling for a 0-0 opening-day draw against guests Aalen.
Next door in Austria, Conor O'Brienwatched form the stands as Wiener Neustadt blew a 59th-minute lead to fall 4-2 at Sturm Graz in their top-flight season opener.
