Contact: Ashleigh Jones, Sports Information Graduate Assistant
 
Box Score

Fulton, Mo (Sept. 2, 2017) – After a scoreless first half, a late surge of energy sped up the second period of play for the North Central College men's soccer team as well as its host, the Westminster College Blue Jays, in the Cardinals' 3-2 overtime win on Friday.
 
The first half of the game was a back and forth battle for control of the ball. North Central got many of the plays in the air, but many of their attempts on goal just could not poke through the Blue Jays' backline.
 
Despite not scoring in the first half the Cardinals were quick on their feet and utilized their size and speed wisely. With their aggressive style of play, the Cardinals attempted five of their 17 shots in the first half, gradually finding weaknesses within the Blue Jays' defense.
 
Ending the first half scoreless, it was anybody's game, and the Cardinals took that to heart. They increased their shot attempts to nine, and it paid dividends. Following an early second half goal by the Blue Jays, the Cardinals answered with a goal of their own at the 62-minute mark with an impressive assist from Gavin Sanchez to set senior Ryan O'Deen for his first goal of the evening.
 
Just seven minutes later the Cardinals took the lead with a goal by freshman Elmer Eng, assisted by Sean Woodford. Unfortunately, the lead did not last long, for Westminster became frustrated with the Cardinals' sudden confidence and fired a stinger right to the back of the North Central net.
 
The Cardinals were determined to end this game with a win, yet after two chances to close the game with corner kicks at the end of regulation, the Cardinals found themselves prepping for overtime.
 
With the remaining three of shot attempts during the overtime period, Ryan O'Deen made sure the third shot counted. With another well timed assist by Sanchez, O'Deen cleared the Blue Jays' defensive line and scored, O'Deen found himself just one goal shy of a hat trick in his first regular season game.
 
The Cardinals continue their pursuit for success Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, at 4 PM on Westminster Field against Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.