Men’s soccer opener decided in overtime
Ryan McCullough
MCC men’s soccer team pulled out a win in double overtime against South Mountain Community College in a back and forth battle on Aug. 28.Fourteen minutes into the game SMCC mustered a cross that turned into a direct attack. MCC’s goalie blocked the shot.
At the 23 minute mark of the first half, Diyalo Manral got off a shot that hit the side goal post.
With 15 minutes left in the half, Raymond Kadzashie made an attack on the SMCC goal but again the shot hit the post.
Ben Messer used his size to muscle around SMCC players that attempted to form an attack.
MCC benefited from Joe Paulsen’s constant shouting to keep his teammates in the right position to defend.
The second half, like the first, was one littered with attacks that almost came to fruition.
21 minutes into the second half, Travis Brown got off a valiant shot that hit the top goal post.
Shawn Fox came close to breaking the deadlock in the 26 minute of the second half but nothing came of it.
The excitement and determination among the players picked up in the last ten minutes of regulation.
James Carver received a yellow card, Joe Paulsen had a collision that left him limping off the field, and MCC delivered a shot that, while blocked, the SMCC goalie had a bit of trouble holding onto.
With an assist from Miguel Romero and Matt Neely, Brown managed to find the back of the net in the second overtime to deliver the Thunderbirds the win.
