Tars Slip Past Tritons in Double Overtime

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Eckerd men's soccer team suffered another narrow loss on Wednesday at Johnson Field as a double-overtime golden goal gave Rollins College a 1-0 victory over the Tritons.

HOW IT ENDED
Final: Rollins 1, Eckerd 0 (2 OT)
Records: Eckerd 3-5-1 (1-4-1 SSC); Rollins 6-3-1 (4-3 SSC)
All-Time Series: Rollins leads, 37-10-2

HOW IT HAPPENED
* Aside from a near-miss by Rollins's Ben Grant in the third minute - a close-range volley that sailed over the crossbar - neither team was able to create quality scoring chances in the first half.  Rollins held a 9-1 edge in shots at the break, but most of those shots were from distance through traffic.
* The Tritons began to generate more chances in the second half as did Rollins, and both teams narrowly missed the frame on a few occasions.  Alex Gott also did his part in goal, turning away four shots in the half and either collecting or punching away several well-placed cross attempts by the Tars.
* Eckerd had its chances in the half as well.  Elliott Williams just missed a header attempt while Matheus Assumpcao and Francisco Anaya both had good looks late in the match but came up empty as the contest went into overtime in a scoreless tie.
* Gott made another save in the 96th minute on the only shot on frame for either team in the first overtime.  Early in the second overtime period, Williams missed the frame by inches as he attempted to put away a cross from the right side.
* Less than a minute later, Rollins had a chance from close range and managed to convert.  Matt Volk freed himself up near the left post and slid a pass inside the six-yard box to Ben Grant, who one-timed it into the net for the golden goal.

NOTABLE
* Rollins was ranked No. 17 in Division II last week.  The Tars fell out of the poll following losses to Tampa and then-No. 8 Palm Beach Atlantic.
* The match was Eckerd's second straight to go into double overtime.  The Tritons played to a 2-2 draw against Saint Leo last Wednesday.
* Gott stopped a total of seven shots, keeping his lead amongst Sunshine State Conference goalkeepers in the category.
* The loss was Eckerd's third one-goal loss in conference play.  Two of those losses have come in overtime; the other came on a goal scored late in regulation by then-No. 5 Lynn.

UP NEXT
The Tritons have a tall task ahead on Saturday as they travel to No. 5 Palm Beach Atlantic for a 7:00 PM kickoff.