Box Score LEXINGTON, Ky.—A goal in the 105th minute propelled Rose-Hulman over the Transylvania University men's soccer team Saturday at Pat Deacon Stadium to claim the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference title.
In a much anticipated matchup, the teams squared off for the HCAC title for the second consecutive year. Rose-Hulman won last year's HCAC title with a goal 15 seconds into the in second overtime period.
Both teams entered Saturday's contest atop the HCAC standings, after ending the regular season with a record of 7-1-1 in HCAC play earning a shared regular season crown, after a double overtime draw. Rose-Hulman entered Saturday's match up first in the HCAC allowing a mere 0.53 goals per contest compared to the high-scoring Transylvania offense averaging 2.7 goals per contest.
The Transylvania offense penetrated the Engineer defense generating eight first half shots. Freshman Riley Calhoon fired the first shot just over the crossbar at the 8:46 mark, but the Transylvania offense continued its relentless attack. Minutes later, Calhoon sent a one hopper toward Rose-Hulman goalkeeper Drew Hill that Hill scooped for what would have been the go-ahead goal.
Following a Rose-Hulman corner in the 23rd minute, Tyler Blankenship sent a header towards the Transylvania goal only to be scooped by junior goalkeeper Cody Waltrip. The save was the only one of the game for Waltrip, as the Transylvania defense held the Engineer offense to six shots in the contest.
Possession after possession, the Pioneer offense threatened evading the Engineer defenders making their way toward the goal. Sophomore Ben Rossoll ripped another shot in the 24th minute nearly missing the net. The defenses stiffened, limiting opposing offenses for the next several minutes. However, the Transylvania offense fired four shots over the next five minutes, but could not find the net.
Calhoon fired one last shot toward the Rose-Hulman goal as time wound down at the end of the first half missing just right of the goal.
Much was the same as the teams took the field in the second half. The Transylvania offense continued their attack as freshman Freddie Siegelman sent a shot just over the crossbar. Siegelman nearly hit on an acrobatic bicycle kick off a lead from Calhoon on one of three Transylvania corners in the game.
Waltrip and the Transylvania defense kept the Engineers out of the net on two shots just over midway through the second half sending the game into overtime. Saturday's match marked the fifth time of the last six meetings that saw double overtime.
Only Transylvania managed a shot in the first overtime period, as Rossoll fired a shot in the 99th minute but was, again, grabbed by Miller.
As the second overtime period started, Rose-Hulman's Dieter Schultz sent one wide of the net. Seconds later, Brent Kramer found the net off a deflection in traffic to give the Engineers their second HCAC title in as many years.
Despite the loss, the Pioneers could receive an at-large big to the NCAA tournament. The selection show will is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday and can be viewed here.
