BROWNWOOD, Texas – The Belhaven Men's Soccer team played over 100 minutes on Thursday afternoon, but they prevailed with a double overtime victory against Howard Payne 3-2 at Citizens National Bank Field.
Belhaven (12-3-1) extends its winning streak to seven matches following Thursday's win, tying Concordia Texas for the second-longest winning streak in the ASC this season. The Tornados' seven-match winning streak lasted from September 1 to September 25.
The Blazers were down early in the 20th minute as Howard Payne (3-10-1) scored the first goal of the match.
Almost five minutes later, in the 25th minute,
Joravar Malli, off a corner kick by
Nicolas Cornejo puts the Blazers on the board at 1-1.
Two and a half minutes into the second half,
Cillian Thompson notched his 10th goal of the season off a pass by
Lucas Talaveira-Befi to give the Blazers a 2-1 edge. However, the Yellowjackets were able to equalize the match once again in the 67th minute at two.
With nothing decided after 90 minutes, the match would head into overtime, where the Blazers took two shots, but were unable to convert the game-winning goal.
After 100 minutes and the score still locked up at two apiece, the match would head into a second overtime. In the 103rd minute,
Tulio Glasner passed the ball to Thompson, and he sailed the ball through the net for his second goal of the evening and his 11th of the season.
With Thompson's first goal, he becomes the second player this season to accomplish 10 or more goals in a season, joining Talaveira-Befi. He becomes the 29th Belhaven men's soccer player to score 10 or more goals in a season.
The Blazers outshot the Yellowjackets 27-8 in the match and 4-1 in the overtime periods.
"The team faced many adversities today, but we perservered and got the win," said head coach
Carl Griffiths.
Belhaven improves to 2-1-1 in overtime matches this season, and they have won their last three double overtime matches away from Jackson (October 10, LeTourneau and September 1, 2014, Wayland Baptist).
Thursday's one-goal victory against the Yellowjackets makes the Blazers 8-3 in one-goal matches this season.
Belhaven will return to action on Saturday afternoon against Texas at Dallas. Kickoff for the Halloween match is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the Comet Soccer Complex in Richardson, Texas.
