Box Score

The Spalding University men's soccer team defeated Hanover College 2-1 in a double overtime thriller improving their record to 2-0-0. Julio De Leon put away a penalty kick in the second overtime that allowed the Golden Eagles to open the 2014 season with two straight victories.
 
The game was wide open from start to finish. Spalding's first chance to score came in just the fifth minute when Jacob McMurry sent a through ball towards a streaking Aden Abdirahman. Abdirahman had a great chance to register a tally, but was unable to get a fluid touch on the ball and could not capitalize.
 
In the 27^th minute, Hanover had a chance to take the lead on a free kick that was awarded from 25 yards out. The shot was on target and with pace, but was saved by Spalding goalkeeper, Logan Spencer. In the 35^th minute, a Hanover attacker was called offside negating what would have been the first score of the game.
 
In the 39^th minute, the Golden Eagles registered their first shot of the game when Sergio Vancini put a ball in behind the Hanover defense for Brent Hannah to run onto. Hannah's ensuing shot found the side netting, on the outside of the post.
 
Another good Hanover opportunity was squashed in the 42^nd minute when Austin Lanham worked tirelessly to track back and stop a counter attack that had looked promising.
 
The Golden Eagles were outshot 8-1 in the first half, but managed to get to halftime with the score tied 0-0 due to steady goalkeeping from Spencer and timely clearances from the Spalding back line. After tactical adjustments and a fiery halftime speech from Head Coach Adam Boyer, the Golden Eagles outshot Hanover 10-4 in the second half and overtime.
 
In the second half, the Golden Eagles had a number of chances to put the ball in the back of the net. In the 48^th minute, Hannah sent a floating ball across the box that McMurry headed just wide of the post. McMurry had another chance in the 55^th minute when combination play between Hannah and De Leon resulted in a cross that found McMurry, but his subsequent shot went just wide of the post. Play continued to go back and forth as both teams pushed numbers forward in an effort to break the tie.
 
In the 75^th minute, the Golden Eagles finally broke through. Abdirahman earned a throw-in for Spalding after he put relentless pressure on the Hanover defense. The ensuing throw-in found the feet of Chris Muncy. Muncy turned, spotted the keeper off of his line, and proceeded to float a beautiful stroke to the far post that found the back of the net and put the Golden Eagles up 1-0 with 15 minutes remaining in regulation.
 
The Golden Eagles were just five minutes from earning the win in regulation when Hanover equalized. A bouncing ball in the box was slotted home, which tied the score and sent the game into overtime.
 
The Golden Eagles best chance to score in the first overtime came just four minutes in when Muncy played a ball into the path of a sprinting Abdirahman. Abdirahman collected the ball, faced up his defender and got a shot off that went wide of the goal. Although Abdirahman did not put this chance away, Spalding was regaining the momentum and the team was showing a work rate that looked as if the game had just kicked off.
 
In the second minute of the second overtime, with the ball at his feet, Abdullahi Abdullahi found himself face to face with the opposing goalkeeper. A collision occurred, but not before Abdullahi had touched the ball around the Hanover goalkeeper. Abdullahi went down, and a whistle was heard. Abdullahi had earned a penalty kick that would give the Golden Eagles a shot to win the game. De Leon stepped up, and clinically slotted the ball home setting off a wild celebration amongst the entire team. The Golden Eagles had won the game 2-1 on a golden goal in the second overtime.
 
Following the game, Assistant Coach James Kusak spoke about the hard fought victory, "Great resolve from the group today. We continue to talk about the mental focus that is required for an entire match. We came out a little slow but grew stronger as the match went on. I am proud of the younger guys who stepped up and settled the group down during periods of the second half and overtime." Kusak continued, "This was an entire group effort and there will be more games just like this one, especially as we move towards conference play."
 
Next up for the Golden Eagles is the Bob Allen Nissan Classic at Centre College. On Friday, September 5, the Golden Eagles will face Thomas More. On the following day Spalding will play against Defiance.