Box Score BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.—When it looked like the Fire would end up with a tie in its season opener, it looked to one of their veterans.
With just 58 seconds left, fifth-year defender
Kendall Crouse headed in a free kick attempt off the foot of
Jonathan Jimenez to give the Fire a 2-1 victory in double overtime.
"Kendall showed why he is the captain of this team," said coach
Clay Roberts. "He did a fantastic job organizing us defensively, and came up with the game winner with a good aggressive run in the box."
Southeastern got on the board first, picking up a goal in the 41
st minute from freshman
Eric Ugarte to give the Fire a 1-0 lead at halftime. The Plant City native notched his first collegiate goal within the first 66 seconds of his career.
Montreat was able to answer in the 69
th minute with the equalizer shortly after a corner kick. The Cavaliers outshot the Fire 8-6 during the second half, and outshot SEU 16-15 in the match.
Keeper
Jorge Navarrete made seven saves to give the Fire a chance.
Southeastern returns to action next Friday at the SCAD Invitational in Savannah, taking on St. Andrews College at 5 p.m.
