Box Score For immediate release – 11/7/2015 - #108
Heatherly's Overtime Blast Sends the WildCats to the ODAC Finals
LEXINGTON, VA – Blake Heatherly scored in the second-overtime of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Semifinals to put Randolph College in the championship game. The second-seeded WildCats defeated third-seeded Roanoke College 2-1 at the site of Sunday's championship, Washington & Lee University.
Roanoke had the first chance of the game, as Orestes Ilias hit the post after only 53 seconds into the game. However, both teams would settle down and there would be few opportunities over the next 30 minutes. The Maroons held possession and let the time tick off.
Then in the 30th, the 'Cats started to become much more dangerous. Travis Brown had a header that went wide of goal at 30:15 and then Heatherly's shot soon after was saved by Cole Sinclair. However, the pressure would prove fruitful only 20 seconds after.
Heatherly made a nice turn and fired in a shot from 20 yards out that carried over Sinclair for the first goal of the game. Each team had a few more chances during the remainder of the first half, but the score remained 1-0 WildCats.
The second stanza provided more attacking in the early goings then the first did. Troy Jurney sent a shot in the direction of the goal, but it went just wide. It was followed by a Maroon corner kick and the ensuing shot was saved by CJ Stevens.
Both teams continued to press, as Sinclair and Stevens found themselves being put to the test, but the 'Cats held onto the lead until the 66th. Marshall Hodge scored off a shot from the right side of the box to tie the score at one.
Randolph responded with several good opportunities but Joseph Thames' header and Salvador Ramirez's shot both missed the woodwork. Heatherly had another outstanding chance in the 75th, as he took a free kick, just outside the 18 on the left, but Sinclair tipped the ball over the net. The Maroons earned several shots late in the half, but could not find the back of the net, sending the semifinal to overtime.
In the first, Stevens and the defense were tested several times, but rose to the occasion on each. Julian Williams-Milne blocked a shot, and Stevens made two important saves.
Randolph controlled the second overtime from the start. In the 102nd, the Maroons committed a foul 15 yards outside the box, and Heatherly finished off his brace, sending the 'Cats and their supporters into euphoria.
Sinclair made five saves for Roanoke (12-7-1 overall), while Stevens made six in the win.
Randolph (13-4-3) returns to Lexington and Watt Field on Sunday with much more on the line. The ODAC Championship and an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament will be at stake. The WildCats will play top-seeded Washington & Lee, 4-2 winners over Virginia Wesleyan College on Saturday in the first semifinal.
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