FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. The Methodist men's soccer played to a thrilling Saturday evening, double overtime 2-2 draw against William Peace University in USA South conference action.
Playing in front of a packed crowd for Senior Night, the Monarchs delivered a show for the fans. First, it was
Raul Martin, eight minutes into the game, delivering one of the best shots you'll see in college soccer with a dagger from around 40 yards out, punching the ball into the top left corner for the goal.
Then, with 18.1 seconds left on the clock and the Monarchs down 2-1,
Tyler Hilbert scored the equalizing goal to send the game into overtime.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist ties vs. William Peace, 2-2
Records: Methodist 6-4-2 (3-2-2 USA South); William Peace 8-2-5 (6-1-3 USA South)
Location: Monarch Soccerplex; Fayetteville, N.C.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- This was as chippy as a game you will see. There were 26 combined fouls from both teams. The game only got more contentious as it wore on. There were five yellows cards assessed by the referees, and one red card. All six of those cards came in the second half.
- The Monarchs took advantage of a Pacers' ejection to tie the game. Ten seconds after the red card came Hilbert's goal. Pacers' goalkeeper Jacob Smith earned a save on a Temple Siar shot but in the ensuing aftermath, Hilbert was able to put the ball behind the goalie.
- In the 20 minutes of overtime, it was all Methodist as the team put up eight shots while the Pacers could not even earn a shot of their own.
- It was a Kyle Madden shot in the second overtime that was saved by Smith that elicited groans from the Monarch bench and fans as Smith had to make an athletic attempt on the ball.
- A minute later, Yazeed Alshamekh had a shot hit off the post that could have been the walk-off goal. The goalkeeper did not even make an attempt on the shot as Alshamekh's shot curved at the last second and hit off the left post.
- In the first half, it was the Pacers lamenting missed opportunities. William Peace had two breakaway attempts that resulted in zero shots on goal as one of those shots hit off the post and bounced out.
- William Peace was able to take advantage of the chaos that usually surrounds corner kicks to score their two goals, one in the 51st minute and the second in the 70th minute.
- Methodist outshot William Peace 25 to 18 and put more shots on target (11) compared to the Pacers' four.
SENIOR NIGHT
PACERS PEEK
- Jacob Smith earned nine saves in his 110 minutes in goal.
- Ivan Ponce scored another goal, adding to his total of 12 goals of the year. That is good for second in the USA South.
- Jorge Aguilar picked up another assist, which puts him at eight on the season. That is also good for second in the conference.
UP NEXT
- Wednesday, October 17 at 4 p.m., Methodist travels to Greensboro to play Greensboro College in conference action.
- William Peace has a whole week off before they travel to Lookout Mountain, Ga. to play Covenant (Ga.) on Saturday, October 20 at 2:30 p.m.
