Box Score WILMINGTON, Ohio—The Transylvania University men's soccer team dropped a heartbreaker to Wilmington College, 2-1, in double overtime Thursday at Williams Stadium.
"The guys responded well," head coach Matt Vogel said. "We made some adjustments and things went our way in the second half."
The potent Transylvania offense was held to just four shots in the first half, while the Wilmington offense recorded 11. But play on both sides of the ball improved for the Pioneers in the second half.
Transylvania saw its first shot of the second half a mere 50 seconds into play and continually threatened, but the hands of the Ohio Athletic Conference saves leader made it difficult for the Pioneers to find the net. Wilmington goalkeeper, Daniel Wicks, nabbed eight saves on nine Transylvania shots on goal in the contest.
The Pioneers trailed 1-0 for much of the contest thanks to a goal from Wilmington's Alex Ruckman in the 22nd minute. As time wound down late into the second half the Pioneers' chances appeared bleak, but it was only a matter of time before the productive Transylvania offense would get on the board.
Wicks and the Wilmington defense held the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference leading scoring team, Transylvania, scoreless through the first 88 minutes, until junior Tate Spivey tallied his fifth goal of the season to tie the game at one sending the game to overtime for the second straight year. With the goal, Spivey tied teammate Blake Chidester for the most goals in the HCAC with five.
The Pioneers entered the first overtime period with the momentum, but were unable to capitalize.
"We had a few good looks in the overtime periods," Vogel said. "We just weren't able to convert. Sometimes you play well and the ball just doesn't go your way."
Wilmington picked up its third win of the season as Martin Holmquist found Ethan Zimpfer for a goal at the 101:59 mark as the Pioneers fell to 3-2.
Transylvania senior goalkeeper Cody Waltrip continued his stellar season, grabbing seven saves in the loss.
The Pioneers (3-2)host Capital University Saturday Sept. 20 at Pat Deacon Stadium. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
