Sunday, September 05, 2010
PORTALES, N.M.— with 2:23 remaining in the first overtime,Andy Wilkinson (Fr., M, Lewes, East Sussex, England/Sussex Downs 6th form college) found the back of the net on an Emerson Rodrigues’ (Sr., F, Natal, RN, Brazil/Colegio Objectivo Portugar) cross pass from the left side, lifting the Eastern New Mexico University men’s soccer team (2-0) to a 2-1 win over visiting University of Colorado-Colorado Springs (1-1), Sunday afternoon at ENMU Soccer Field.
The win marks the first time the Hounds have won their opening two games of the season and extended their overtime-undefeated streak to 12 matches. Eastern’s last loss in overtime came on September 21, 2006, at West Texas A&M, by a 3-2 score. The Greyhounds have not lost at home in overtime since a 1-0 setback to Missouri Southern, on September 23, 2005.
After a scoreless opening half, Rodrigues scored the 24th goal of his career, 8:22 into the second period on a free kick, following a Mountain Lion penalty to give the Greyhounds a 1-0 lead. Tom O’Day tied the game with 7:23 left in regulation after taking a cross pass from Carlos Verdugo.
Eastern held an 18-13 edge in total shots, including a decisive 9-4 advantage in shots on goal. The Mountain Lions enjoyed a 9-2 advantage in corners, including a 5-0 lead in the opening half. Orlando Rodriguez (Fr., G, Plano, Texas/Plano HS) made three saves in net to earn his first win, while Brandon Costa made seven saves of UC-Colorado Springs.
The Eastern New Mexico University men’s soccer team will return to action on Tuesday, when they visit Lubbock Christian. The match is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. MST.