Oct. 31, 2009
Box Score
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Sophomore Jeff Cheslik notched the game-winning goal during overtime in the 95th minute to conclude the comeback and help the Oakland University men's soccer team (9-4-2, 5-0 Summit League) secure the regular season championship with a 2-1 victory over UMKC (6-8-2, 2-1-2 Summit League) Saturday afternoon at Durwood Soccer Stadium and Recreational Field.
"I'm really pleased with the resilience of the team today," said head coach Eric Pogue. "Never once did the team quit, despite being down a goal in the second half, and like all good teams do, found a way to win when it mattered most. UMKC was a very strong team top to bottom and we knew it was going to take a workman-like effort to beat them today."
Both squads locked down on the defensive end in the first half, producing a scoreless match going into halftime. But the 'Roos struck first in the 48th minute when David Sarabia headed the ball into the net's lower right corner to take a 1-0 lead.
With just under six minutes to go in the match, freshman Shane Lyons connected with a feed from sophomore Daiki Mori and headed the ball into the lower left corner to knot the game up at 1-1 in the 84th minute, bringing the match into an overtime period.
At 95:37, Cheslik picked the right time to score his first career goal when accepted a pass from junior Makesi Lewis inside the six-yard box, which drew the goalkeeper out of the play, and slotted the ball past three UMKC defenders into the net to give Oakland the 2-1 victory.
UMKC just edged out OU in shots, 16-13, but both teams were evenly matched in corner kicks with five apiece. The Golden Grizzlies committed 11 fouls to UMKC's 10 and sophomore goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt made four saves in net.
With the regular season title claimed, the Golden Grizzlies will possess the number one seed in The Summit League Tournament, hosted by OU, on Friday, Nov. 13 and Sunday, Nov. 15.
Oakland will wrap up regular season play on Saturday, Nov. 7 against Western Illinois University at the John MacKenzie Alumni Field. The match s scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. EST and can be followed via Live Stats at www.ougrizzlies.com.
"We know WIU will be a tough game," said Pogue. "It always is, and we look forward to a playoff-like atmosphere against them."
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