GAME STATS PICTURED ABOVE: Stephen Golz scored the game-winning goal in Saturday's 3-2 overtime win over #16-WashU.

Wheaton, Ill.- Saturday night's top-25 tilt was the classic tale of two halves. With a 1-0 lead already in hand, the #16-ranked Bears of Washington (Mo.) University scored early in the second half to take a 2-0 lead. However, from the 51st minute on, Wheaton outshot the Bears 28-2 and rallied to force overtime and eventually earn a 3-2 come from behind victory in front of a frenzied crowd of 1,033 at Joe Bean Stadium. With the win, the eighth-ranked Thunder improved to 6-3 while the Bears fell to 5-2-1.

Despite holding a possession edge for much of the first half, the Thunder could not puncture the stout defensive line of the Bears. Playing very compact, the Bears were able to strike first early in the match with a perfectly executed counterattack. Playing out of the back, Ike Witte was able to play Jeremy Kirkwood into space behind the Thunder defense with a long stretch pass. Kirkwood responded by slotting the ball into the net at the 13:27 mark to give WashU a 1-0 lead. That goal would hold until halftime.

WashU took advantage of a Thunder miscue to double their lead early in the second half. Attempting to play the ball away in defense, Wheaton's clearance was turned over at the top of the WashU attacking third. The Bears quickly converted on the turnover and Jonathan Lipsey was able to score late in the 47th minute to make the score 2-0.

After several minutes of continued defensive play, Wheaton turned the field and started to force the pressure back on the Bears. Taking advantage of an opportune foul called just outside the box, Noah Anthony (PICTURED RIGHT) continued his free kick brilliance with a heavy shot past the outstretched arms of Bears keeper Jonathan Jebson to half the WashU lead at 2-1 in the 59th minute. Jebson allowed three goals while making eight saves while his counterpart, Matt Paprocki allowed two goals and made three saves.

The Thunder continued to apply pressure to the WashU defense but it wasn't until the 78th minute that the Thunder were able to pull even. Pushed forward uncharacteristically due to a late corner kick, Reed Bartley found the ball at his feet after a deflected header by Jordan Golz. Bartley pounded the ball inside the left post for the equalizer and his first career goal.

The closing minutes offered an opportunity for fans of both teams to hold their breath as action swung from end to end. In the closing seconds, Wheaton was awarded a free kick from just outside the box, but the kick was pounded into the teeth of the WashU wall and bounded harmlessly away to send the game into overtime.

In the extra period, it looked as if an act of individual brilliance would bring the game to its dramatic conclusion. Taking the ball on the defensive side of midfield, Hollingsworth streaked forward and unleashed a blistering left foot from 30 yards out that sailed inches over the crossbar allowing the game to continue.

Just minutes later, a group effort finally brought the game to an end. Playing off the left wing, Josh Clark sent a long cross into the middle of the box and Stephen Golz (PICTURED LEFT) rose above the crowd to head the ball into the back of the net and give Wheaton the instantaneous 3-2 victory at the 94:27 mark. The goal was Golz' seventh of the season.



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