Point Park Edges Men’s Soccer in Double Overtime, 1-0

STAY CONNECTED: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
BE THE FIRST TO KNOW: Text & Email Alerts
DOWNLOAD OUR APPS: iOS (iPhone/iPad) | Android

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Marygrove men’s soccer dropped to 1-3-0 on the season with a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat in double overtime at Point Park University on Thursday (Sept. 10) in Pittsburgh, Pa. For the second time in as many games, the Mustangs produced more quality chances than their opponent despite ending the match on the unlucky end.

The 1-0 setback marked the first time the Mustangs have been blanked by back-to-back non-conference opponents for the first time since the beginning of the 2012 campaign when the Green and Gold lost to Grace (Ind.), 2-0, and Western Michigan, 4-0.

The Point Park Pioneers move to 3-2-0 on the season after the 109th minute win in the second 10-minute overtime period.

Gbenga Ayanwale (Osun State, Nigeria/Atanda International) made quality runs behind the defense on numerous occasions in the first half, none resulting in goals as Pioneer keeper Zak Borzovoy came out to disrupt the redshirt freshman forward’s scoring chances.

Teammate Oneil Robinson (Montego Bay, Jamaica/Cornwall College) also wreaked havoc on the Pioneer defense early on – posting two shots on goal – a result of many outstanding Abdoulie Jallow (Bansang, The Gambia/Rust College) through balls throughout the game.

In the second half, the Mustangs controlled possession, earning their best chance of the contest when Jallow’s shot on target was blocked by a Pioneer defender with less than three minutes remaining in regulation.

The timely play from the Pioneers’ defense forced the NAIA showdown into overtime where the home team finally pulled away with a 1-0 win less than 65 seconds away from a scoreless draw.

Keeper Austin Valentine (Westland, Mich./Concordia-Ann Arbor) was tough in net again for the Mustangs, saving five shots in the non-conference loss. Valentine is now 1-2 on the season with a 0.92 goals against average and a shutout through three games as the Mustangs struggles to tally a goal continue.

In all, the Mustangs and Pioneers played a physical game that resulted in 35 foul calls throughout the 109-minute duration of the match. The Mustangs outshot the Pioneers 15-13, including a 10-6 edge in the second half.

The Mustangs return home Saturday (Sept. 12) for another NAIA non-conference showdown as Chicago’s Saint Xavier visits the Motor City for a 3 p.m. kick. The Mustang Sports Network will stream the match live on marygrovemustangs.com/live beginning at 2:45 p.m. with Jeremy Otto and Brendan Johnson on the call.

MEN’S SOCCER CONTACT: Tim Johnston | [email protected]/* */ | @tjohnston56
MARYGROVE BROADCASTS: Mustang Sports Network | Twitter
SOCIAL MEDIA: Men’s Soccer on Twitter