Men's Soccer | 10/23/2013 10:42:00 PM
Box Score
McPherson, Kan. – For the second consecutive match, a double overtime thriller ends with the McPherson men's soccer team walking away winners. The latest victory, a 2-1 Bulldog triumph, came against a very physical Tabor College Blue Jay team.
"We have talked all year about discipline and composure," said Coach Quint. "That is something we emphasized this week with today's match and it won us the game! My hat is off to our guys for staying composed, sticking to the game plan and finding a way to win against a very good Tabor side. Clearly our tough non-conference schedule has prepared us for times like this."
The game couldn't have started any better for McPherson as they scored less than three minutes into the contest as Octavio Villa (Desoto, Kan.) headed in a ball coming off of Kevin Aka's (Paris, France) foot. It was a very even first half as both team took nine shots with Villa's being the lone goal in the opening 45.
As fast as MC started the game, Tabor started off the second period, scoring just a couple minutes in. The 1-1 tie would stay for the remaining 43 minutes of regulation, forcing overtime.
In the first OT period, neither team was able to score, forcing a second. Four minutes into the final period, Villa headed in his second goal of the night, putting in a Johnny Nuthall (Reno, Nev.) cross; you might remember that it was a Villa to Nuthall combination that ended last Saturday's double overtime contest against Saint Mary.
"Transfer Octavio Villa was outstanding today; he really worked hard to time his runs into the box on service and was rewarded."
19 shots were taken by McPherson in the 104:28 competition. Oscar Cortez (Dallas, Texas) took a team-high seven shots with one being on target. Nuthall and Aka had identical stat lines with four shots, two on target and an assist. Villa's two goals were the only shots taken by the midfielder.
Senior goalie Taylor Parrott (Wichita, Kan.) made 10 saves in his fifth win of the year.
"Now our focus has to shift to Saturday with Sterling coming to town. We gain two starters back for Saturday that we could have really used today. We also honor our seniors Saturday so I expect a good showing for us."
The October 26th contest is set for 4:00 p.m. (CT) on the grass pitch at McPherson College; if you make your way to the game against Sterling College, be sure to bring lawn chairs as there are no bleachers on the grass field.
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