Susquehanna Men's Soccer
Crusaders Come Close to Upset, Fall in Double Overtime, 1–0, at Ohio Wesleyan Box Score
DELAWARE, Ohio — Nationally ranked No. 9 Ohio Wesleyan University scored with two seconds remaining in double overtime to avoid an upset by visiting Susquehanna University in the first round of the 2008 NCAA Division III men's soccer championships at Roy Rike Field on Nov. 14.
An Ohio Wesleyan (17–4–1 overall) forward ended the game with a long ball that found its way all the way through the Susquehanna (13–7–1 overall) penalty box and into the right of the goal.
Despite Ohio Wesleyan outshooting Susquehanna, 9–2, in the first half, SU played good enough defense to keep the game scoreless after 45 minutes.
The teams played a very fast-paced, back-and-forth second half, though Ohio Wesleyan still took 14 shots to the Crusaders' eight. Thanks to key saves by Susquehanna's sophomore B.J. Merriam (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional) in the 76th and 77th minutes and a missed chance by Ohio Wesleyan on an empty net with one second remaining in regulation, the game went into extra time.
 Susquehanna controlled play in the first overtime period, taking two shots to the Battling Bishops' one, but neither team was able to find the back of the net. The Crusaders' junior midfielder Ralph Larsen (McElhattan, Pa./Central Mountain) and senior defender Matt Campbell (Leola, Pa./Conestoga Valley) tried for the “golden goal” in the 94th and 95th minutes, respectively, but both of their shots flew wide of the net.
Just 12 seconds into the second overtime, a shot by SU's sophomore midfielder Jim Robertiello (Chester, N.J./West Morris Mendham) was blocked, creating a corner kick for the Orange and Maroon. Freshman midfielder Bobby Long (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional) placed the ball in the box for a header by senior defender Isaac Laubach (Millville, Pa./Millville Area) that flew just right of cage.
Susquehanna's final shot at victory came with 2 minutes, 10 seconds left on a Robertiello boot that brought the visiting crowd to its feet but flew high of the crossbar.
Ohio Wesleyan, which was whistled for offsides 12 times to just once for Susquehanna, finally ended the game on the last-second goal. Had the game remained scoreless through two overtime periods, the advancing team would have been determined by penalty kicks.
Merriam tallied 11 saves amidst all 109:58 of play. The Battling Bishops' goalkeeper made two saves while playing the whole game as well.
Susquehanna enjoyed a 9–6 advantage in corner kicks, including taking the only three of the second overtime.
End of season |
