Men?s Soccer Dropped by Liberty in Overtime, 1-0

Men's Soccer VMIKeydets.com

Keydets Drop Match to NJIT in Overtime, 3-2

Box Score NEWARK, N.J.  – Despite goals by Brian Harding and David Rochow and 11 saves by Brian Sowell, VMI men's soccer dropped a 3-2 decision in double overtime to the NJIT Highlanders Sunday afternoon in Newark, N.J. 

With the score tied at two and just seconds remaining in the final overtime, NJIT's Chico Lugo took a pass from Timothy Hojnacki. Lugo nailed a header past Sowell, giving NJIT (2-5) the dramatic win over the visiting Keydets (0-6).

For the first time in 2009, the Keydets got on the board first. Ayao Sossou found Brian Harding just 1:22 into the contest, and Harding banged home the pass to put the Keydets up 1-0.

The teams then settled into several minutes of play in the neutral area, with each squad having just one shot over the next 14 minutes. NJIT got a shot off at 15:14, but Sowell made the first of his 11 saves. Moments later, a header shot by the Highlanders hit the post, preserving the Keydets' 1-0 lead.

VMI countered with another Harding attempt, but the shot was stopped by NJIT keeper Ryan Sutherland. The homestanding Highlanders then attacked, mustering four shots over a three-minute span. The onslaught ended when Pete Walker banged a shot past Sowell at 24:38, squaring the game at 1. Over the remainder of the half, NJIT outshot the Keydets 7-0, but Sowell stopped the only two shots on goal to keep the score knotted at 1.

The Highlanders came out with a pair of shots in the opening moments of the second half, but they went easily wide. The Keydets countered with a pair of shots by Stewart Wilkinson, including one that hit the post at 60:07.

NJIT continued to attempt a startling number of shots, but tested Sowell just once in the first 35 minutes of the second half, despite trying 12 shots during that time. Meanwhile, the Keydets had another strong chance on a shot by Sossou, but Sutherland made his second save of the match to keep the game tied. NJIT countered the Sossou effort with shots in the 80th and 83rd minutes, but Sowell was up to the task and stopped both attempts.

At 85:17, VMI went back in front, thanks in large part to two freshmen. Matt Seinfeld played the ball to John Sisco, who headed the ball to David Rochow. Rochow nailed a header past Sutherland, giving the Keydets a 2-1 edge with under five minutes to go.

Sowell continued to be clutch, stopping yet another attempt at 87:52, but the Keydets were called for a foul two minutes later. With just three seconds officially left on the clock, NJIT's Jack McVey fired the resulting penalty kick past Sowell, tying the game at 2 and sending the contest to overtime. During regulation, NJIT outshot the Keydets 32-8. However, the margin in shots-on-goal was considerably lower, 10-4, and Sowell stopped eight shots during the first 90 minutes of play.

The home team controlled the pace in the overtime periods. The first frame was scoreless, but the Highlanders fired five shots in the 10 minute span, including two on goal. NJIT then had five additional attempts in the second overtime period, including one on goal, before the game-winning header by Lugo.

For the game, NJIT outshot the Keydets 43-8, with the shots-on-goal margin being smaller, 14-4. Sowell's 11 saves were a season-high for the second-consecutive game, while Sutherland stopped a pair of shots for the Highlanders.

VMI men's soccer will return to action Saturday, as the Keydets return home to host Longwood at Patchin Field. Game time is set for 2 p.m.
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Players Mentioned

Brian Harding

#18 Brian Harding

M
5' 11"
Junior
David Rochow

#23 David Rochow

D
6' 0"
Freshman
Matt Seinfeld

#9 Matt Seinfeld

M
5' 10"
Freshman
John Sisco

#12 John Sisco

M
6' 0"
Junior
Ayao Sossou

#44 Ayao Sossou

D
5' 6"
Sophomore
Brian Sowell

#0 Brian Sowell

GK
6' 3"
Junior
Stewart Wilkinson

#8 Stewart Wilkinson

D
5' 10"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Brian Harding

#18 Brian Harding

5' 11"
Junior
M
David Rochow

#23 David Rochow

6' 0"
Freshman
D
Matt Seinfeld

#9 Matt Seinfeld

5' 10"
Freshman
M
John Sisco

#12 John Sisco

6' 0"
Junior
M
Ayao Sossou

#44 Ayao Sossou

5' 6"
Sophomore
D
Brian Sowell

#0 Brian Sowell

6' 3"
Junior
GK
Stewart Wilkinson

#8 Stewart Wilkinson

5' 10"
Sophomore
D