Box Score ATHENS, W.Va. – The Concord University men's soccer team forced overtime against nationally-ranked Notre Dame, but couldn't quite pull off the upset Saturday afternoon at Anderson Field as they lost 3-2.
After the defeat, Concord is 1-7-1 this season and 1-5 in Mountain East Conference play. Notre Dame, who ranks 17
th in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division II poll, improves to 8-2 overall and 5-1 versus conference foes.
Just four minutes into the game, Notre Dame tallied the contest's first goal. However, CU would fight back with 10 minutes left to go in the first half, freshman midfielder
Royale Johnson netted his team-leading third goal of the season to even the game at 1-1.
In the second half, freshman midfielder
Adam Carnwath found fellow freshman midfielder
Alex Rhodes, who fired the ball off the bottom of the cross bar and into the net, giving CU a 2-1 lead with 25 minutes left to go.
Prior to Rhodes' goal, junior goalkeeper
Mitchell Thompson made a stretching save in the 55
th minute on a penalty kick to assure the game remained tied.
With under 15 minutes remaining in regulation, Notre Dame was able to sneak a goal past the Concord defense and Thompson to even the game once again at 2-2.
Concord held off the Falcons offensive pressure for the remainder of regulation, but couldn't stop them from scoring in overtime.
After seven minutes of play, Notre Dame netted the winning goal. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Thompson was brilliant in goal for Concord as he saved six shots for CU. Notre Dame held advantages in total shots (16-3), shots on goal (9-2) and corner kicks (11-0).
Concord will look to avenge an early-season loss to Shepherd Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. on the road. Â
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