Final Minute Goal Sends Tigers to Overtime Win

Springfield, OH -- It was a rainy evening for the men's soccer team as they took on the Heidelberg Student Princes. At the game went on and the rained stayed heavy, the ball got more slippery and the game got faster. It was a cautious game from the Tigers after Heidelberg scored at minute 28. Not until the 60th minute was the frist yellow card drawn from sophomore Logan Evans. As the Tigers began to have more chances, Heidelberg got more aggressive. They picked up the next two yellow cards in the 67th and 84th minute of the match. 

With less than two minutes left of regulation, the Tigers drove down the field then were down to the pentaly box when the ball went out of bounds for a corner kick. Senior Eli Esterline lined up for the shot, rain pouring down, teammates crowded around the goal, goalkeeper Jason Bowen up well passed the midway mark. Kick goes up, hit by junior Danny Kukanza for a header into the goalie laying in the net. Tigers tie the game 1-1 sending it into overtime.

As the rain continued, the game continued to be physical. In total, Wittenberg collected 10 fouls and Heidelberg had 12. As it was an offensive match, Bowen saved seven of eight shots taken on goal, challenging the Student Princes on many breakaways.

As the match began overtime, it was scoreless until the 98th minute. Junior Andres Mujica scored the game winning goal off an assist from freshman Kees Ciric improving the Tigers' record to 5-2-2.

The next time the Tigers will see the field will be Saturday, September 25 at home for Senior Day against Hiram College.