JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – The Illinois College men's soccer team won its second straight match on Saturday afternoon, scoring the game-winning goal in the second overtime to knock off Franklin College, 2-1.
Deon Washington was the hero for the Blueboys, netting the opening goal of the match late in the first half and then hustling downfield to score the winner. IC improves to 2-4-0 with the victory.
Franklin pressed early in the match to take the lead, but the Illinois College defense and goalkeeper
Raul Rubalcava were up to the task. The Grizzlies fired 11 shots in the opening 45 minutes, but Rubalcava made six saves to keep the visitors from going on top. The hard work of the IC back line was rewarded in the 41st minute when substitute
Justin Cozart connected with Washington on a cross from the right wing. Washington very nicely took the ball out of the air and deposited it past Jake Hendricks to put IC ahead, 1-0, at the break.
The second half was much more evenly played between the two sides, but Franklin was able to force overtime with an 85th-minute goal from Cody Coppess. The Grizzlies moved the ball quickly from midfield to the feet of Coppess and he was given enough time on the ball to pick out his spot in a corner to beat Rubalcava from distance.
As the heat continued to beat down on the players, offensive chances became fewer and farther between in overtime.
Ryan May had an immediate shot on goal in the opening seconds of the first overtime. Later on, Franklin had a shot saved by Rubalcava in the 93rd minute. That would be it and so a second overtime session was needed.
With less than three minutes gone in the second overtime, May held up play in the midfield before finding
Josh Schmidt. Schmidt played a ball over the top in the direction of Washington. The freshman fought off a Grizzly defender and beat Hendricks to the ball, though the momentum of his run carried him out wide. Catching up to the ball and turning from a tight angle, Washington was able to wrap his foot around and send a shot into the goal that was left wide open by the beaten Hendricks.
Rubalcava earned his second win of the season in goal for the Blueboys, making 10 saves. Washington and
Brock Ziegemeier led IC with three shots apiece.
The Blueboys return to action tomorrow afternoon with a 2 p.m. match at home against Fontbonne University.
