NORTON, Mass. – Sophomore striker Travis Blair (Hastings, N.Y./Hastings) recorded the decisive marker in the 102nd minute as the Wheaton College men's soccer team outlasted Wentworth Institute of Technology 1-0 in double overtime this afternoon at Keefe Field. The Lyons raised their overall record to 2-0, while the Leopards dropped to 0-2.
Wheaton cracked the scoring column not even two minutes into the second overtime session, when sophomore Marlon Ramalho (Framingham, Mass./Bridgton Academy) slipped a pass through a seam in the Wentworth defensive attack. Blair broke behind the Leopards formation and ripped the game-winner past the charging keeper. It was his first marker on the campaign.
The Lyons thought they had solved Wentworth junior goalkeeper Cody Gibb (Foster, R.I./Ponaganset) just 20 seconds into the first overtime. Wheaton sent a cross from the right flank that was headed into the net, but the goal was negated due to an offside call. The Lyons continued to apply the offensive pressure. Wheaton was nearly rewarded for its effort in the 96th minute, when freshman Kevin Gil (Pawtucket, R.I./Wheeler School) rang the right post.
The Leopards had their best scoring opportunity in the 78th minute, as sophomore Erik Shaw (Hooksett, N.H./Pinkerton Academy) fired a shot from 35 yards out that forced Lyons' sophomore keeper Jeff Paer (Fair Lawn, N.J./Fair Lawn) to punch the attempt back into the middle of the field. Freshman Derek Fernandes (Dartmouth, Mass./Bishop Stang) gathered the rebound and laced a shot toward the lower left post that Paer was able to deflect wide.
In between the posts, Paer made five saves to earn his first victory of the season, while his counterpart Gibb stopped seven attempts in nearly 65 minutes of relief. Wentworth starting keeper senior John Longo (Needham, Mass./Needham) made two stops before leaving the contest due to an injury.
Wheaton held a 20-15 edge in shots while also earning an 8-3 advantage in corner kicks.
