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Espinal's overtime strike lifts Shorter over Tennessee Wesleyan
By Matt Green
ATHENS, Tenn. -- Freshman Irvin Espinal scored 4:26 into overtime to complete Shorter University's rally from a 2-0 deficit and send the Hawks to a 3-2 victory over host Tennessee Wesleyan in non-conference men's soccer action on Tuesday night.
Garry Perks scored his third goal of the season and freshman Trevor Greenwald notched his first collegiate goal as the Hawks (2-0) posted a second comeback win in as many outings to open the 2011 season -- Shorter scored twice in the final 14 minutes of regulation to stun Montreat College 3-2 in last Saturday night's season opener.
"Our team has shown a lot of character early in the season coming back to not only tie, but to win games," said Shorter head coach Josh Severns. "I'm extremely proud of our team mentality and play late in games and I am looking forward to watching us improve and become better as we continue to get experience."
Shorter's late heroics were once again provided by a freshman -- first-year defender Neshaun Senior scored the game winner against Montreat. This time it was Espinal, a highly touted freshman who prepped at nearby Dalton High where he set his share of goal scoring records.
Espinal was in top form when it mattered most on Tuesday evening. Moments into the extra session, Perks flicked on a header down the right side and into the stride of Espinal, who beat his defender and then Tennessee Wesleyan goalkeeper Josh Leader to the far post for the golden goal victory.
The Hawks didn't do themselves any favors early in the match, falling behind by two goals within the first 24 minutes after Martyn Freestone and John Carrier scored 1:27 apart.
Perks gave Shorter hope heading into halftime with a goal in the 34th minute that drew Shorter to within 2-1. That goal, the 21st of his career, moved Perks into a tie with former All-American Sebastian Stihler for second on Shorter's all-time goal scoring list.
Shorter pressed for the equalizer throughout the second half and finally caught a break in the 86th minute when Greenwald, playing in just his second collegiate match, picked a Tennessee Wesleyan defender clean in the final third before tucking a shot past Leader, who was off his line. That goal tied the match at 2 and set the stage for Espinal's winner moments later.
Tennessee Wesleyan outshot the Hawks 13-11 and held a 5-3 edge on corner kicks. Guy Hunt assisted on Perks' goal and Stan Nizamutdinov picked up his second win as a goalie while stopping three shots.
Shorter returns to Rome for its home opener on Friday, Sept. 2. The Hawks will host Warner University on Ben Brady Field at 6 pm.
