By Jeremy Nelson
With only one positive result in their first 5 non-conference games, a 0-0 tie against nationally ranked Bellevue University, and then opening up KCAC play at home on Wednesday with a 1-1 tie to the Tabor College Blue jays, the Bulldog men bounced back with a thrilling 3-2 overtime win on Saturday over the Southwestern College Moundbuilders.
Things didn't start out well for the Bulldogs in the early going of the first half. Just 17 minutes in, a turnover by the Bulldog defense led to a quick counter attack by the Moundbuilders. The 'Builders' Alex Perez capitalized on the miscue, and found teammate Fabio Schneider who fired the ball past Bulldog goalkeeper
Luis Valdez-Rivera (Fr. Sachse, Texas).
The Bulldogs didn't panic, and in the 20
th minute,
Dennis Schorb (Fr. Malsch, Germany) collected a ball on the end line, turned and played a ball across the goal mouth. The ball connected with one of the Moundbulider defenders, who had his back to the ball. It caromed off his foot, and found its way into the back of the net for the Bulldog equalizer. Neither side was able to add to their total the rest of the half, and they went into the break all square, 1-1.
Most of the second 45 minutes of action was relatively uneventful. Neither team could capitalize on opportunities they created through the first 20 minutes of the second half. In the 65
th minute, the Bulldogs broke the tie when
Navid Istanbullu (So. Bremen, Germany) took a free kick from about 45 yards out, lofting the ball to the penalty spot. The Moundbuilders tried to clear the ball, but instead it found the foot of
David Mwinga (R-Jr. Santa Rosa, Calif), who slid ball into the side netting of the goal to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 advantage.
The lead was short lived however, and in the 74
th minute, the Bulldogs couldn't clear a ball out of the box on a Moundbuilder corner kick and Alex Perez, who assisted on the first goal of the game, hit a low liner from just outside the 18 yard box into the bottom left corner of the goal to tie the game once again 2-2. The score would remain tied through the rest of regulation, and for the second game in a row, the Bulldogs were headed to overtime.
Neither team could crack the code in the first 10 minute overtime session, so they traded ends and got set for another 10 minutes. Midway through the second extra frame, the Bulldogs had a throw in deep in the Moundbuilders' defensive third.
Sadam Ali (Sr. Tucson, Ariz.) threw the ball to
Tony Del Valle (Sr. Cypress, Texas), who turned and pass the ball backward to
Guido Battisini (Jr. Pilar, Argentina). Battisini one touched the ball back to Ali in space, who beat his man around the corner and drove a ball across the 6 yard box where
Diego Loza (Sr. San Diego, Calif) ran on and volleyed the game winner into the back of the net.
Statistically, it was a very even match. The Bulldogs had a slight edge in total shots, 20-19, but put 5 more shots on frame than the 'Builders. They also won the corner kick battle 9-5, but it was the 'Builders who made the most of their corner kick chances, connecting on 1 of 5 attempts. Valdez-Rivera, picked up the win for the Bulldogs in goal, coming up with 4 saves in the process.
"Our boys really showed a lot of heart and determination today!" said Bulldog head coach
Doug Quint. He went on to add, "Southwestern, who is much improved, really challenged us in some areas. I thought we created some real good chances in possession and were more composed today in front of frame, but to be fair their GK was outstanding. That's two years in a row he has been top class against us. Bottom line is our guys dug deep and found a way to win and I am proud of them for that!"
The win improves the Bulldogs' record to 1-4-2 overall and 1-0-1 in KCAC play. They will look to keep the momentum rolling next Wednesday when they go back on the road for an 8:00 pm match up with the Friends University Falcons.
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