Men’s soccer team drops 1-0 overtime decision to Wittenberg

OLIVET, Mich. – Playing its final non-conference game of the season, the Olivet College men's soccer team dropped a 1-0 overtime decision to Wittenberg (Ohio) University on a sun-drenched afternoon at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Wittenberg 1, Olivet 0 (OT)
Location: Cutler Athletic Complex Complex; Olivet, Mich.
Records: Olivet 1-6-1 overall, Wittenberg 2-4 overall

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Tigers scored the only goal with 1:59 left in the first overtime period. Jake Rubin sent an arching pass into the box, where the ball found the head of Andrew Yokum who headed the ball into the center of the net.
• Despite the loss, the Comets had several scoring opportunities to score a goal in each half.
• In the 22nd minute, senior John Hollowell got his foot on a pass but his shot sailed over the net.
• In the closing seconds of the first half, a free kick by sophomore Matthew Henderson was saved by the keeper.
• Senior Gregory Petty had two shots stopped by the goalie in a span of 49 seconds in 52nd minute.
• Late in the game, sophomore Donald Robertson intercepted a goal kick from around 30 yards. He dribbled the ball a couple times before sending a shot over the net.
• With less than 30 seconds remaining in the second half, freshman Courtney Skerritt had both his initial shot saved by the goal and when the keeper could not control the ball, the rebound shot was also stopped.

FOR THE COMETS

• For the game, Olivet recorded 13 total shots.
• Petty and Skerritt each collected three shots, including a pair on-goal.
• Junior goalkeeper Nathan Weeks allowed the only goal, while facing 20 shots and making seven saves.

FOR THE TIGERS

• Patrick Szymczak took five of the 20 Wittenberg shots. Jacob Haas and Tucker Stas had three shots apiece.
• Tom Rosenberry and Jack Snider combined for the clean sheet in goal. Snider played the first 45 minutes and had two saves. Rosenberry played the second half and the overtime period, recording four saves.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Today's game marked the first-ever time the two teams played each other in a men's soccer contest.
• The game was also a battle of head coaches in the first season at their respective school. Dan Montanye came to Olivet in June after spending one year at Iowa Wesleyan University. Dwight Burgess is in his first season as Wittenberg's head coach after coaching for a decade at Capital (Ohio) University.

UP NEXT

• The Comets stay home to face Alma College Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m.