Cumberland scored twice in the first half and just missed a chance for the game-winner in the closing minutes of regulation, but Neil Harries’ header four minutes into overtime secured a 3-2 victory for third-ranked University of Rio Grande in men’s soccer action Friday.
The Bulldogs (3-3-1) were on the defensive for almost the entire match but nearly pulled off the upset. Robert Boyd’s goal at the 17-minute mark tied the match at one and Lee Glass’ strike from 25 yards in the 36th minute gave CU a 2-1 advantage at intermission.
But the lead was short-lived after the break, with the Red Storm (5-0-0) tying the match just 1:05 into the second half. On URG’s 14th of 24 corner kicks in the match, Mike Torbert found the back of the net, knotting the match at two.
Rio Grande kept up the pressure, keeping possession and winning nearly every 50-50 ball, especially all of the goal kicks and free kicks by either team. Matthew Shattuck’s efforts in goal as well as those of the Bulldog backline kept the match within reach for the home team. Shattuck finished the match with 10 saves and the Cumberland defenders knocked away two other shots that were headed into the back of the net.
URG posted a 35-6 advantage in shots, but the Bulldogs made their few opportunities count. In the closing minutes Harry Mason’s hard work put CU in position for the victory.
Mason chipped a forward ball just over the half-line over the defender and had only the keeper and a trailing defender to beat. He worked his way into the box, maneuvering a bouncing ball before sending a cross to Boyd just outside the six-yard box. Boyd’s half-volley with the right foot somehow missed the net with just three minutes remaining in regulation.
After a fall on the Bulldogs deep down the leftside just minutes into overtime, the ensuing free kick sailed over everyone and beyond the far post where URG’s Oliver Hewitt-Fisher chipped it back across the Harries, who headed in the game-winner, keeping the Red Storm undefeated.
Jack Marchant recorded a pair of saves in goal for URG.
“I really thought Robert’s ball went into the back of the net, which would have set off pandemomium on campus,” head coach Jeff Loucks said. “I would have been happier but not prouder of the way our team played. We really fought the entire match.”
Cumberland played without a pair of starting defenders – Mark Harrison and Neil Howard – and central midfielder Bradley Williams took a shot to the face late in the first half and did not return.
Cumberland opens play in the TranSouth Conference next Tuesday, facing 21st-ranked Bethel University at 4 p.m.