Golden Goal Secures Historic Home Playoff Game

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Marygrove men’s soccer team battled the host Cornerstone Golden Eagles for 90 minutes, and then some, Saturday (Oct. 25) in Grand Rapids, winning 2-1 in double-overtime behind a golden goal in the 109th minute. The late-game heroics secured the first home playoff game in Marygrove history, keeping sixth-year head coach Matt Johnson and the Mustangs (7-8-1, 6-1-1 WHAC) in contention for any of the WHAC’s top four seeds with two games to play.

The game-winning tally, sent in by junior forward Oneil Robinson (Montego Bay, Jamaica/Cornwall College), was the latest goal scored in a game in program history – four minutes later than Jordan Berry’s game-winning tally (105′) in the conference playoffs on Nov. 3, 2012.

In the first half, the Mustangs were held in check by a strong Golden Eagle defense as the game played to a scoreless opening stanza.

The Golden Eagles struck first at the 58′ mark when Tristan Esprit’s corner kick found the head of Josh Binnendyk for the game’s opening tally. Trailing 1-0 in the second half, the Mustangs then started their rally, pinning in the Golden Eagles thanks to increased pressure on the offensive end.

The Mustangs sent numerous chances on net, only to be turned away until the late-game theatrics started.

In the 85th minute, freshman forward Vincent Umejeigo (Lagos, Nigeria/Wayne County CC) was finally able to provide the much-needed equalizer for the Mustangs after Abdoulie Jallow (Bansang, The Gambia/Rust College) sent a well-timed ball forward to knot the game, 1-1. The goal helped the Mustangs avoid a crucial road setback, sending the game to overtime after 90 minutes couldn’t settle the score.

The first of two 10-minute overtime periods didn’t produce a goal as the Golden Eagles narrowly outshot the Mustangs, 2-1, sending the game to its final frame.

From there, Robinson sent in his seventh goal of the season with 1:39 remaining in double-overtime to help lift the Mustangs to the historic conference win. Jallow found Robinson for the golden goal, lifting his season assists total to 11 after earning two more Saturday night. The 11-assist campaign places Jallow in front of all competition in the conference, three ahead of Davenport’s Dzenan Catic with eight.

Sophomore keeper Ryan Plonka (St. Clair Shores, Mich./Macomb CC) was able to make key saves, sending away four of the Golden Eagles five shots on target in 109 minutes of action.

The Mustangs will return to Detroit for their final regular season home game Wednesday (Oct. 29) at 4 p.m. versus Madonna. The game will be streamed live (video/stats) on the Mustang Sports Network beginning at 3:50 p.m.

MEN’S SOCCER CONTACT: Tim Johnston | [email protected] /* */ | @tjohnston56
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