Double overtime goal lifts #15 NCWC over #2 Greensboro, 2-1

Rocky Mount, NC - Wednesday's much anticipated men's soccer match-up between USA South rivals North Carolina Wesleyan and Greensboro College did not disappoint as it took two overtimes to decide a winner.  After the two squads fought to a 1-1 tie in regulation, sophomore Jimmy Pierce (pictured) found Marco Kirsch in the box, and the talented freshman calmly booted home the game-winner in the 106th minute for the Bishops, who are currently ranked 15th by the NSCAA and 4th by D3Kicks.com.  The Pride, 2nd and 7th in those same polls, respectively, managed just one shot in the two overtime periods. 

Wesleyan remains undefeated at 7-0-0 overall, 2-0-0 in conference action, while Greensboro is now 7-1-0 on the season, 1-1-0 in league play.

The Pride managed to get on the board first when they were awarded a penalty kick at the 9:20 mark.  Eric Hatchett did the honors by depositing his attempt past diving NCWC keeper Alberto Faisca.

Wesleyan countered just 6:35 later when senior Danny Jones headed in a deep pass from defenseman Gudmundur Palsson.  Jones' goal, his seventh of the season, knotted the game at 1-1.

Despite no other scoring over the next 90 minutes of play, the game was not without several intense moments for both squads.  Wesleyan fans erupted midway through the first period when Alimamy Kargbo touched home a deflected save, but the goal was waved off when offsides was called. 

Following that scare, Pride goalie Kurt Gardiner thwarted several NCWC shots-on-goal near the end of the first half.  He then watched as a Kirsch attempt bounced off the post early in the second.

Subsequently, the momentum seemed to sway in Greensboro's direction.  Faisca recorded four key saves in the second half, while midfielder Robert Ivanovich's lunging kick blocked a Pride put-back that would have been the game-winner.

After a scoreless first overtime period, the stage was set for the Pierce/Kirsch heroics.  Pierce took the ball down the left side of the pitch, beating his defender to the corner.  He then lofted a ball into the box where a waiting Kirsch ignited the Wesleyan celebration with his second game-winning goal of the season.

The Bishops out-shot the Pride 21-13 on the day, though Greensboro tallied eight corners to NCWC's five.  Gardiner finished with eight saves and Faisca six.

Wesleyan returns to action against a talented Mary Washington squad on Sunday.  Game time is slated for 2:00 p.m. at Scalf Field.