FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga - The men's soccer team hosted the Mount Olive Trojans on Saturday afternoon. After battling through overtime, the Lions won 1-0.
The first half set the tone of the game, a very physical matchup as the two teams combined for a total of 21 fouls and 4 yellow cards throughout the afternoon.
Emmanuel took 8 shots in the first half, but only 2 of them were on goal and both were saved by Iwan Roberts of the Trojans. Mount Olive took 3 shots in the first half and the only one on goal was saved by
Giuliano Palma.
The second half involved the Trojans taking 9 more shots, but Lion's goalkeeper
Giuliano Palma put on a strong performance as he saved the 4 that were on goal.
As time wound down both teams were unable to score and the game continued into 10 extra minutes of overtime play.
As overtime began, the Trojans quickly took the ball down the field and fired off back to back shots. However, they were unable to score as Palma made a diving save and kept the Lion's alive.
It began to look as if more time was going to be needed as neither team could score after 99 minutes of play. But, with less than a minute remaining, the Lion's gained possession and took the ball down the field.
Channing Park passed the ball to
Jeffrey Appiah, who turned and passed it to
Jeremy Gwaltney. Then, with 24 seconds on the clock, Gwaltney scored a clutch goal and sent the home crowd into an excited frenzy.
Gwaltney's goal immediately sealed the victory for the Lion's in Golden Goal play. This victory moves the Lions to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in Conference Carolinas.
Men's soccer will host Erskine College for their second conference matchup of the season on September 25th.
