Zaldivar's last-second goal keeps Bishops alive in NCAAs

Rocky Mount, NC - In Thursday's NCAA Tournament action from Scalf Field, the North Carolina Wesleyan men's soccer team turned in one of the most exciting finishes in program history with a 4-3 overtime win over Virginia Wesleyan. Down 3-1 with less than 15 minutes remaining, the Bishops netted three unanswered goals to steal the victory. Junior Edgar Zaldivar (pictured) blasted home the equalizer with eight seconds remaining to tie the score at 3-3, while freshman Owen White netted the Golden Goal in the 95th minute to ignite the Bishop crowd.

The Marlins (11-7-2) grabbed the early lead with score by Clay Price in the 26th minute off a Brandon Massie corner kick.  Although the Bishops got off 14 shots in the period, VWC keeper Jay Coble made seven saves to secure his team's 1-0 lead at the break.

In the second half, NC Wesleyan tied the game with its first goal at the 48:09 mark. Freshman Chris Helms did the honors when he booted home a White cross from 10 yards out. The tie was shortlived, however, as the Marlins countered with an Adam Stringer score just over two minutes later.

VWC looked to put the match out of reach when Price netted his second goal of the game for a 3-1 advantage with 14:46 remaining.  Trae Pinto was credited with the assist after delivering a deflected shot into the box. With their season on the line, the Bishops got new life just 18 seconds later when an unassisted goal by junior Danny Persson again cut the lead to one.

Down 3-2 with less than a minute on the clock, the Bishops gathered the ball in Marlin territory and began to push the ball up the field. After VWC booted a deep pass out-of-bounds, Zaldivar collected a throw-in just over the midline with 20 seconds remaining.  He proceeded to weave his way through Marlin defenders and took roughly a 30-yard shot as the PA announcer began the 10-second countdown.  The shot found the back of the net, forcing overtime.

Having survived being eight seconds from elimination, the Bishops took obvious momentum into the overtime period.  White took the only shot of the OT on a pass from Persson in the 95th minute.  Diving to his right, Coble looked to get a hand on it, but it deflected off the post and into the net, which sent the NCWC fans into a frenzy and left Marlin fans in shock.

Both teams endured extremely wet conditions from the start.  The Bishops out-shot the Marlins 22-15 on the day, but VWC held a slim 6-5 advantage in corners.  Coble finished with nine saves, while NCWC keeper Alberto Faisca recorded six.

North Carolina Wesleyan (16-3-1) will now travel to Atlanta, GA to take on Emory University on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. The Bishops will be attempting to secure their third straight Sweet 16 appearance.
 

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