Box Score
FRANKLIN, Ind. - Transylvania men's soccer rallied for a 2-1 comeback victory over Franklin in overtime Wednesday night thanks to a game-tying and a 20-yard game-winning shot off the foot of senior forward
Kyle Smith.
The first 45 minutes of game play saw two evenly matched conference opponents, as the teams each shared possession equally, with the Pioneers taking six shots to Franklin's five. Despite playing an aggressive first-half, the teams headed to the half tied 0-0.
At halftime, the Pioneers turned on the switch. Transylvania controlled the tempo for a majority of the second half, dominating the Grizzlies' half, and out-shooting the Grizzlies by an 11-4 margin. After two close shots by Smith and senior
Eric Froschauer, Franklin's Drew Hutchens caught a break, netting a six-yard cross from Austin Davis into a wide-open Pioneer net, giving Franklin a fragile 1-0 lead.
Transylvania saw three additional goal attemps by Froshauer, Smith and senior
Conner Clark, before Smith poked in a shot inside the right goalpost off a cross from junior
Stephen Willoughby at the 70th-minute mark, tying the game at 1 all.
The pressure was on, as the Pioneers urgency rose to tally a goal by regulation's end. Four additional shots were taken on Franklin's goal, three of which sailed high or wide of the net. As the seconds ticked down, sophomore
Tate Spivey attempted a last-minute header shot into the Grizzly cage, but it was saved by Franklin goalkeeper Lucas Hill, sending the teams into overtime.
Franklin had no chance in the overtime period, as the Pioneers took offensive control, tallying four-consecutive shots, the last of which sealed the win. It was Smith, who recorded his 13th goal of the season, that nailed a 20-yard bullet into the upper right corner for the 2-1 game-winner.
The Pioneers dominated the offensive stats, taking 21 shots to Franklin's nine.
The win lifts Transylvania to 9-3-1 on the season heading into a matchup against Rose-Hulman on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 3:30 p.m., the opening day of the new athletic facility.
