Box Score

Greenville IL- On a windy afternoon in Greenville, Illinois, the Spalding University men's soccer team fell in their St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) opener, losing 2-1 in overtime to the Panthers of Greenville College. With the result, Spalding is now 5-6-0 overall and 0-1-0 in conference.

The Golden Eagles went against the wind in the first half. Their best opportunity of the opening period came when Brent Hannah played a ball over the top to Julio De Leon. De Leon looped a shot over the goalkeeper, but it hit the post and bounced out. The two teams would head into the break tied 0-0.

Just eight minutes into the second half, Greenville would find the opener. After a foul at midfield, Greenville floated a free kick into the box. SU goalkeeper Logan Spencer was unable to collect the ball and after bouncing once, Greenville's Spencer Pulliam headed the ball across the line to put them up 1-0.

But just three minutes later, Spalding would find the equalizer. Colin Peters would take a through ball from De Leon, round a defender, and rocket a left-footed shot into the back of the net to tie the game at 1-1. It was Peters' third goal of the season and De Leon's sixth assist.

The two teams would go back and forth for the remainder of the half. Despite holding a 6-5 advantage in shots in the second half, Spalding would be unable to find a second goal and the two teams went into overtime tied 1-1.

With less than two minutes remaining in the first overtime period, Spalding would lose possession of the ball in midfield and see Greenville's Pulliam receive a pass and slotted the ball home for the sudden-death game-winner.

"We had our chances to win the game today but were unable to take advantage of the numerous opportunities we created," Head Coach Adam Boyer commented after the game. "We knew this would be a tough opener for conference but still, we will be disappointed to leave Greenville without a point."

"We need to let this result motivate us moving forward," he continued. "I have full faith in this group and know we will bounce back next weekend."

On the afternoon, Spalding was outshot 13-12 and both teams took seven corner kicks. Logan Spencer made five saves in the net.

Men's soccer returns to action when they travel to Principia College on Thursday for a neutral game against SLIAC foe Iowa Wesleyan College. Kick-off is set for 7:00pm.