ROCHESTER, MICHIGAN – The University of the Incarnate Word men's soccer team earned their first win of the new season on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over Oakland University.
Noah Keats (Exeter, Englad/The King's School) scored the game winning goal in the first period of over time.
In their homecoming game, the Golden Grizzlies (0-5) were the first to add to the score sheet from a penalty kick taken by junior forward Gerald Ben. A UIW foul in the box in the 37
th minute gave Oakland the opportunity they needed to take the lead, with Ben recording his first goal of the season.
The Grizzlies did not disappoint their homecoming crowd as they out-shot the Cardinals 18-14 and also posted an 8-4 advantage in shots on goal, but it was the Cardinals who capitalized on their opportunities and equalized in the 51
st minute. A Cardinal shot was parried high into the air by goalkeeper Wes Mink and on its way back down was chested across the line by forward
Dylan Kelly (Tucson, AZ/Salpointe Catholic HS).
With neither side holding an offensive edge in regulation, the game went into overtime. Just three minutes before the first extra period was to finish, Keats collected the ball just inside the box and drove the ball home to the upper right corner of the net to take the game to 2-1.
"It is nice to get our first win of the season," said UIW head coach
Vince Martinez. "This was a team effort tonight and I am really happy for the guys, they deserve it."
Along with his teammates, goalkeeper
Kieran O'Boyle (Blackpool, England/St. Mary's Catholic College) earned his first win of the season with eight saves, while Mink was handed his first loss with two saves. The Cardinals are taking a short break in official season play this week with their Alumni game next Sunday 28
th. They are back in action the following Tuesday as they head to Oral Roberts for a rematch against the Golden Eagles.
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