Double-Overtime Disappointment

Double-Overtime Disappointment

AMERICUS - The Georgia Southwestern men's soccer team fought back from a late second-half deficit to force overtime on Wednesday afternoon at Hurricane Field only to have Talladega College deliver the decisive goal in the 102nd minute to earn the victory, 2-1.

Jose Luis Rodriguez, who ranks second in NAIA and fifth in goals scored, was the hero for the TC as he punched in both scores for the Tornadoes.

Rodriguez's first score came at the 54 minute mark when he dribbled through the GSW defense and beat goalkeeper Ryan Tucker to the right side to notch his 20th goal of the season.

Moments later Tucker made a game-changing save when he dove to his right and denied a penalty kick by Augustos Maciel.

GSW capitalized on the opportunity to pull even in the match.

Joshua Manga delivered the game-tying score for the Hurricanes in the 66th minute when he dribbled through the Talladega defense and scorched a shot to the upper right corner from 18 yards out for his third goal of the fall.

With the momentum, GSW had a couple of good looks late to win the match in regulation.

Charlie Curran hit the crossbar in the 87th minute and James Romaniw placed a corner kick in front of the keeper with 10 seconds remaining, but Manga's header curled over the top of the goal.

Turns out that would be the Hurricanes' final shot of the match as GSW did not take a shot in either overtime session.

Rodriguez's 21st goal of 2012 would prove to be the game-winner. Rodriguez took the pass from Kenrick Preston 1:40 into the second overtime and struck a low shot that rolled past Tucker into the left corner of the goal.

The Hurricanes fall to 2-13-1 overall. Talladega improves to 12-4.

Talladega led GSW in shots on goal, 9-2, but the Hurricanes held the Tornadoes well under their goals per game average (4.21) which ranks third in NAIA.

The Hurricanes held a 9-6 advantage in corner kicks with all nine taken in the second half.

Tucker saved seven for GSW. Di-Stephano Occil stopped one for the Tornadoes.

Southwestern closes out the season on Saturday when it hosts Palm Beach Atlantic on Senior Day at 3:30 p.m.