LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph men's soccer team opened Old Dominion Athletic Conference play on Saturday night as the WildCats hosted Bridgewater. It was game living up to the hype of an ODAC game as the teams played to an extra period. The 'Cats came back late to tie and then won in overtime 4-3.
The win keeps Randolph undefeated at 7-0 overall and 1-0 in the ODAC. The Eagles fall to 3-4 and 0-1.
There were three lead changes and three ties in the game. Randolph got on the board first in the 5th minute as Tucker Leverone (Suffolk, Va./Nansemond River) passed down to Evan Blow (Charlottesville, Va./Charlottesville) on the left side and Blow was able to tuck a shot in to the right side of the net for the 1-0 WildCat lead.
BC would answer in the 17th minute as Trevon Phillips got a shot in the right corner of the goal and in to tie the game at 1-1. The Eagles took the lead with under two minutes remaining in the half as Parker Richards's free kick from just past midfield found Josh Gilliam who headed it in to make the score 2-1.
The WildCats got the equalizer in the 64th minute. Leverone found Brandon John (Clarksburg, Md./Clarksburg) in the middle and John sent it in to tie the contest at 2-2.
The game wouldn't stay tied for long as Sam Franklin converted a free kick into the goal to restore the lead to Bridgewater at 65:02. The WildCats looked to tie the game again but a couple of shot attempts just missed the mark.
Randolph got the tying goal at 85:40. A handball called on the Eagles inside of the box gave the 'Cats a penalty kick. Blow calmly blasted his attempt in to tie the game once again and send it to overtime.
In the extra period, Randolph controlled possession from the start. A corner kick gave the WildCats an opportunity to win the game. A pass from Leverone found Gavin Leverette (Lynchburg, Va./E.C. Glass) on the far right side of the goal. Leverette sent a kick back to the front of the goal that was deflected back by Eagle keeper Tyler Deutsch. The deflection fell back to Parker Aaron (Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch) who knocked a shot into the back of the net and in for the game winner.
Randolph dominated in total shots 19-8 and 13-4 in shots on goal. Corner kicks were slightly in Randolph's favor 5-4.
Zach Aylor (Vinton, Va./William Byrd) had one save for the 'Cats between the pipes. Bridgewater Starting keeper Charles Schwinefuss stopped two shots before leaving with an injury. Deutsch had seven saves in relief.
The WildCats host Mary Baldwin in non-conference action on Wednesday. Game time from WildCat Stadium will be at 6:00 p.m.
