Men's Soccer Stuns #22 D&E in Final Minute

URBANA, Ohio (September 26, 2012) - The Urbana University men's soccer team moved their undefeated streak 5 straight games with a thrilling comeback against #22 Davis & Elkins College on Wednesday afternoon.  Trailing 1-0 in the final minute of regulation, the Blue Knights forced overtime, where they won it 2-1 on G-MAC Player of the Week Yves Nzwanga's 98th minute header.

The game began under calm conditions.  In the sixth minute of action, the Senators took advantage of some terrific passing deep in Urbana's zone to notch the first goal of the game.  Oliver Bienias chipped a shot over Urbana keeper Darragh McGinley's reach into the top right corner for the go-ahead goal.  Less than 30 seconds later, Urbana's Tyler Wason had a shot to tie the game, but his attempt clanged off the inside of the post for the near-miss. 

The second half was heated as Urbana turned up the intensity.  The Blue Knights fired more shots than their counterparts, but none made it past the Senators' keeper as the rain began to fall. 

Just as it seemed hope was lost for the home team, the rain intensified and Urbana earned a last-chance corner kick with 37 seconds left on the clock.  Mark Whittle's crossing pass made its way through the crowd to the head of Carl Peers.  Peers hammered the ball into the back of the net to send the home team and crowd into a frenzy.

The rain continued to fall harder and harder as the overtime period began.  Neither team could capitalize on the slick field until the 98th minute.  On a throw-in, Urbana's Ed Willoughby found a wide-open Ashton Winkler about 30 yards from the Senators' goal.  Unchallenged, Winkler sent a pinpoint pass into the box, and under nearly identical circumstances, Nzwanga made his way through the crowd and headed the ball home from the Senators' doorstep.  The Blue Knights celebrated Nzwanga's fourth game-winning goal in the past five games in the pouring rain.

McGinley, who entered the week third in Division II in saves, finished with a season-high 14 stops to earn his sixth win in goal.  Urbana's last defeat came on September 7th.  The Blue Knights are 6-2-1.  The 22nd ranked Senators drop to 6-2-0.  Wednesday's win was the first of six straight games for Urbana against teams who have spent time in the D-II national rankings.  Urbana is 1-0-1 against ranked teams in 2012.  On Sunday, the Blue Knights travel to #11 Charleston for a 2:00 p.m. contest.  [Box Score]