Box Score

The Malone University men's soccer team pulled out a dramatic 5-4 victory at Bethany (WV) College Thursday night as midfielder Rubem Miranda netted the game-winning goal on a free kick seven and a half minutes into the first overtime period. 

The Pioneers held a 4-0 advantage at halftime but were then forced to play a man down after a red card was issued less than five minutes into the second stanza.  The host Bison took advantage of the 11-on-10 scenario, scoring four goals over a 15-minute span to knot the match at 4-4 midway through the second period.  Despite the ferocious Bethany comeback, Malone managed to regain its composure and hold the Bison off the scoreboard over the remainder of regulation. 

After seven scoreless minutes in the extra frame, Miranda was fouled just outside the penalty box and  awarded a free kick.  The sophomore from Florianopolis, Brazil then zipped a shot around the Bethany defenders and past the diving grasp of the goalkeeper, giving Malone its second overtime victory of the season.  The Pioneers had previously recorded a 2-1 win in extra time at the University of Charleston (WV) on September 21st as midfielder Felipe Delgado delivered the “golden goal” in the 94th minute of play.
 
With Thursday's triumph, the Pioneers also exceeded their win total for the entire 2010 campaign, improving to 7-5 overall.  Malone had not posted seven wins in a single season since 2006 when the squad finished the year with a final record of 7-8-2.  The Bison fell to 2-8 overall with the tough loss.

Forward Kelvin Aquino got the scoring started for the Pioneers in the 18th minute when he fired a shot through the goalie's hands and into the net for his eighth score of the season.  Defender Jake Zimmerly then pushed the lead to 2-0 eight minutes later when his free kick from 70 yards out bounced over the Bison goalkeeper's reach. 

Delgado then added two quick scores to put the Pioneers on top 4-0.  He pocketed his sixth goal of the year off a pass from Miranda in the 30th minute and then tacked on an unassisted score moments later.

Bethany midfielder Lamine Balde got the Bison rally started by scoring in the 53rd and 69th minutes.  Defender Zach Zozula trimmed the deficit to 4-3 with a goal in the 70th minute before defender Anes Bekric tied things up at the 75:22 mark after hammering a shot from 50 yards out that found the top of the net.

Malone held a 21-18 edge in total shots and a 9-7 advantage in shots on goal over the course of the evening.  Pioneer goalkeeper Felipe Monteiro worked the first 45 minutes in front of the net and did not face a shot on goal.  Tim Giesel posted three saves over the final 52:33.  Patrick Coleman went the distance at goalie for Bethany, stopping a total of four shots.

The Pioneers, winners of four out of their last five matches, will be back in action next Tuesday with a 7:00 p.m. contest at Notre Dame College (11-0 overall).