Houghton, N.Y.—The
Houghton College men’s soccer
team scored just as the horn
blew to signal the end of the
first ten-minute “golden goal”
overtime period to defeat Point
Park University and take its
Homecoming game, 1-0.
Steve Grudda hit a scorching
side volley from about ten yards
out on a cross from Jonathan
Brooks that found the right side
of the net for the game-winner.
Controversy followed as the horn
went off just as the ball
entered the net. The Point Park
players claimed that time had
run out before the goal had
scored while the Highlanders
streamed onto the field to
celebrate.
After conferring briefly with
the assistant referee near the
sideline, Central Referee Keith Holmok declared it a goal, with
the time recorded officially at
99:59.
Up until that time the
Highlanders had been unable to
beat Pioneers Goalkeeper Steve
Fabian, who faced 33 shots and
recorded 15 saves.
“They put all of their players
behind the ball and packed it
in,” said Matthew Webb,
Houghton’s head coach, “It was
hard to find space. Their
goalkeeping was excellent. It
took a great goal to beat him
and end it.”
The Highlanders controlled the
game from the opening kickoff,
stealing possession and
generating a breakaway chance
within the first 30 seconds.
Fabian stopped Johnny Kimani’s
effort in what would be a
precursor of many plays to come.
On the rebound, Austin Beck’s
follow-up shot went over the
net.
“When we missed those two
chances at the beginning, I
thought it might be one of those
days,” said Webb. It was—for
almost 100 minutes. Houghton
controlled the ball and took
over the midfield, while Point
Park defended and sent one lone
forward to look for
opportunities to counter-attack.
None were forthcoming. Houghton
outshot the Pioneers 33-3. Only
two of Point Park’s shots were
on goal and both were from long
range, neither very dangerous
for Houghton’s goalkeeper Erik
Lefebvre. The Highlanders also
had a huge advantage in corner
kicks, 9-0.
“We obviously controlled play
and generated lots of chances,”
Webb said, “It was one of those
days where nothing was going
in.”
Until the last second, that is.
Houghton ended a two-game losing
streak and improved its record
to 5-2-3 (1-1 in the American
Mideast Conference); Point Park
drops to 3-8. The Highlanders’
next game will be Tuesday,
October 9 at Mercyhurst. Game
time is 4 p.m.
Picture: Steve Grudda (#11)
celebrates his game-winning
goal.
