CHESTERTOWN, Md.- Faced with a 2-0 deficit late in the second half in its game against Washington College, the Randolph men's soccer team was staring at another loss on the season. The WildCats, however, refused to lay down as the team scored twice in 18 minutes of game time to force an extra period and won with two and a half minutes remaining in the first OT period to win 3-2.
The victory ups the 'Cats overall record to 2-3-1. The Shoremen drop to 4-2.
The two teams battled to a 0-0 tie at halftime. Randolph attacked early on with three shots in the first 12:36. Washington was held to just one shot on frame the entire period.
The Shoremen went on the attack in the second half as they netted the game's first goal in the 51st minute to go up 1-0. A little over 11 minutes later, a foul on Randolph inside of the box granted Washington a penalty kick. Kyle Gaeffke's attempt was turned away by WildCat goalkeeper Erick Cortez-Martinez (Winston-Salem, N.C./North Forsyth) but Gaeffke came in to tuck in the rebound to put the home team ahead 2-0.
Up to 74:33, the WildCats did not have a shot in the second half. That quickly changed as Randolph got off a pair of shots on goal. A free kick was granted to the 'Cats in the 77th minute and Frankie DiOrio's (Bristow, Va./Patriot) offering found Daniel Over (Westminster, Md./Winters Mill), who headed the ball in and past Shoremen goalie Gavin Campbell to get the WildCats on the board.
Randolph did not let up as it tried to find the equalizer. Over and Gabe Krueger (Jacksonville, N.C./White Oak) both crossed a pass over to Evan Blow (Charlottesville,Va./Charlottesville), who poked it in from the left post to knot the contest at 2-2 with just under five minutes remaining in regulation.
The WildCats wrestled momentum away as Washington did not have an answer to the Randolph threat. In overtime, Anthony Fonnesu (Hickory, N.C./Hickory) dribbled into the left side of the box and sent a cross pass to Gunnar Copeland (Carrollton, Va./Smitfield), who tapped in low off his leg and in for the game-winner.
The WildCats claimed the victory despite being outshot 16-6 in the second half. Overall, Washington held a 23-17 shot advantage but only 9-8 in shots on goal. Corner kicks were also in the Shoremen's favor
Cortez-Martinez had seven saves in net which were a season-high. Campbell finished with five for the Shoremen.
Randolph returns home in the hopes of keeping its recent momentum going as it hosts Mid-Atlantic Christian on Wednesday. Game time from WildCat Stadium will be at 6:00 p.m.
