Gambier, Ohio - The Wheaton men's soccer team (2-2) closed out its weekend trip to Ohio with a matchup at 10th-ranked Kenyon College (3-1). The Lords defeated the Thunder 3-2 as the hosts tallied the game-winning goal late in the second overtime period.
Kenyon's Trevor Gleason gave the hosts a 1-0 lead when he scored in the 41st minute, just minutes before the halftime break. The Lords led 1-0 at halftime despite an 8-6 Wheaton advantage in shots on goal in the first half. The Thunder held a 3-2 edge in shots on goal in the opening half.
A tremendous amount of action occurred in the second half as the two teams combined for 25 shots. Wheaton's
Michael Martens tied the match at 1-1 when he scored his first goal of the year in the 57th minute. Martens' goal on a free kick was blasted into the back of the net. Senior
Will Woodfin scored Wheaton's second goal in the 74th minute as he gave the guests a 2-1 lead. Woodfin's shot, off a Thunder corner kick, came from the center of the 18-yard box. Kenyon's Scott Upton tied the game at 2-2 on a goal with just 1:29 remaining in regulation. Upton's goal from the left side evened the match at two goals apiece and sent the matchup into extra time. Wheaton held a 14-11 edge in shots in the second half, including a 7-4 edge in shots on goal.
Neither team scored in the first overtime as the Lords held a 4-3 edge in shots in the extra period. Thunder goalkeeper
Hasten Biddlecome made the only save in the first overtime.
Mac Nardiello-Smith scored the game-winning goal for Kenyon at the 105:52 mark of the match, with just 4:08 remaining in the second overtime. Nardiello-Smith headed the ball into the net on a cross by Upton.
Biddlecome made five saves in the Thunder net, allowing three goals. Kenyon goalkeeper Ian McInturf stopped eight shots and allowed two goals.
Wheaton held a 25-23 advantage in shots with a 10-8 edge for the Thunder in shots on goal. Kenyon was awarded six corner kicks in the match, with Wheaton attempting five corner kicks.
Wheaton hosts Iowa Wesleyan on September 10 at Joe Bean Stadium. Tuesday's match is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m.
