HIGH POINT, N.C – For the second game in a row, the men's soccer team (3-3) surrendered an early goal, but this time it scored two unanswered goals to defeat High Point University (1-2-1) on Sunday afternoon, 2-1, as part of the Flash Gordon Motors Invitational.
The game-winner came off the foot of sophomore Emmett O'Connor just 52 seconds into overtime. The Bonnies gained possession of the ball in the midfield, and sophomore Brad Vanino played a ball over the top to O'Connor. The Ajax, Ontario native then beat the left back to the ball, dribbled in from 18 yards out and slotted a low shot inside the left post from about 10 yards out.
"After such a difficult and disappointing loss Friday, this win is a wonderful accomplishment when you consider all the obstacles we had to overcome," head coach Mel Mahler said. "This has been a draining trip, and we went up against a very challenging team in High Point. I'm extremely happy for the players. We created numerous chances, and Emmett's goal was brilliant."
Like Radford did on Friday against the Bonnies, High Point jumped out to an early lead as the Panthers' tally came in the 7th minute off a 2-on-1 break. Karo Okiomah played a ball on to Mamadee Nyepon, who fed a square pass to Alex Martinez just eight yards in front of the net to beat goalkeeper Mitchell Mack.
However – unlike in its loss to Radford – the Bonnies had a counter to the early strike, this time from sophomore James Reed. For the third game in a row, the Illinois native found the back of the net, as his finish in the 38th minute started the Bona comeback.
O'Connor found Reed in the box with a pass, and from 15 yards out he floated a shot over the head of HPU keeper Michael Chesler. The goal came just four minutes after another shot by Reed caromed off the post.
"James Reed had a great weekend," Mahler commented. "The game-tying goal he scored was a very composed, clever finish in chopping the ball over the goalkeeper."
The score remained knotted through the close of regulation, but it was High Point with the better run of play throughout much of the second half. Following a Reed shot in the 65th minute, the Panthers fired off seven shots in the final 25 minutes of regulation while the Bonnies did not attempt a single one.
After trips to Virginia and North Carolina each of the past two weeks, Bonaventure will return home for its first home game in three weeks on Friday against Canisius. Kickoff opposite the Little Three rival is set for 4 p.m. from McGraw-Jennings Field.
Game Notes: The game-winning goal for O'Connor is the fifth of his career … he finished tied for second in the Atlantic 10 last year in that category with four … Vanino's two assists now give him three on the year, tying him with O'Connor for the team lead in that department … each goalkeeper was credited with three saves … HPU outshot the Bonnies, 15-13, and out-cornered them, 5-4 … 21 total fouls were called – 13 to High Point and eight to SBU … Bonaventure was issued three yellow cards (Reed, Kolby Banker, Team).
