LAKELAND, Fla.- The Southeastern University men's soccer team bounced back in their second contest of the SEU Invitational Saturday afternoon with a thrilling 3-2 overtime win versus the receiving votes' Grace College Lancers.
Both teams generated a plethora of opportunities, as the Fire held the advantage in shots 21-14, including 12-9 on frame.
SEU struck first late in the first half, as freshman
Marcello Cruz netted his first collegiate goal in the 41st minute, burying a free kick from 25 yards out far post.
Just 29 seconds later, the Lancers found the equalizer, as Famade Bamba sent a cross from TJ White into the back of the net far post to knot things up with the Fire 1-1, which is where both teams would remain heading into the half.
The Lancers earned the go-ahead goal in the 64th minute, as Felipe Gruber slotted one into the far post to put Grace ahead of Southeastern 2-1.
However, the youth of the SEU roster came through once again, as freshman
William Durrance, a graduate of George Jenkins High School in Lakeland, headed a corner kick from
Uziel Hernandez in the 73rd minute to make things even with Grace 2-2.
90 minutes was not enough to determine a victor between Grace and Southeastern. The two teams entered a golden goal extra session still even at 2-2.
Senior goalkeeper
Jonathan Wojciki made three crucial saves in the opening minutes of overtime to keep the Fire in the contest.
On a day where the younger players for the Fire stepped up, it was one of the elder statesman who proved to be the hero, as graduate midfielder
Colin Horn willed in a solo effort goal in the 96th minute to earn Southeastern the incredible win.
"I just got the ball and took a touch and thought that I needed to risk it," shared Horn, who entered the game as a reserve for the Fire today. "We needed that win today. It doesn't matter if you start or are on the bench you still have to work hard and find a way to help your team."
Southeastern is back in action at the SEU Soccer Complex on Saturday in a non-conference match versus Trinity College. Match time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
