The Malone University men's soccer team kept its playoff hopes alive due to a 2-1 overtime win against Lake Erie College Thursday evening during the team's Senior Athlete Recognition Night. 

With the guidance of first-year head coach Eric Reed, the Pioneers secured their fifth victory of the season, the most for the program since 2013. 

Lake Erie came out and scored the first goal in the 28th minute of the match when Javier Borreguero fired a shot into the left portion of the net just by the out-stretched hands of freshman goalkeeper Alexandre Durand.  Malone responded quickly in the next minute with a goal of their own by Gino Finelli and an assist by Evan Dekker.

The score stayed deadlocked for the rest of regulation and the match went into overtime.  In the fourth minute of overtime, Finelli struck again with his second goal of the evening with the help of Evan Dekker again and Jonathan Dendinger.  That was it, in the fourth minute of overtime the Pioneers prevailed with the thrilling victory.

Gino Finelli notched his third and fourth goals of the season to now lead the team.  Evan Dekker is also leading the team in assists with five.  Malone's defense came through again with only allowing one goal while keeping alive their season-long streak of allowing three goals or fewer in every game.  Durand was aggressive and took some risks that paid off in defending with seven saves.

The Pioneers honored seniors Joshua Sample, Jordan Young and Mason Maddox prior to the start of the match.

Malone's record goes to 5-9-1 overall and 5-7-1 in conference play while spoiling the Storm's two-game winning streak as the visitors fell to 7-5-3 overall and 5-5-2 in conference play.

Malone will go across town to take on rival Walsh University on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 pm.  This is a must win for both teams with the Pioneers claiming the first meeting between the two teams earlier this season 1-0. With a win against the Cavaliers, the Pioneers will strengthen their postseason chances.