Oster's Golden Goal Topples Neumann in CSAC Final Rematch
Zach Oster scored the game-winning goal in the 104th minute against rival Neumann

Oster's Golden Goal Topples Neumann in CSAC Final Rematch

Men's Soccer - 9/26/2015 9:51:00 PM

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Scranton, PA – Marywood University requited last year's Colonial States Athletics Conference men's soccer final with a 3-2 victory in double overtime Saturday over Neumann University. The two teams tied 2-2 after 110 minutes in the 2014 championship before the Knights claimed the conference title in penalty kicks.

The Pacers (2-4-2, 1-0 CSAC) would not settle for a tie in their CSAC opener. Senior defender Zach Oster hammered in the game-winning goal in the 104th minute. In an almost complete reversal from last week's double overtime loss to Kean University, Casey Peckio fired a shot to the near post that was stopped by a Neumann fielder – the last line of defense – for a team save. Oster emerged from the scrum with the ball and kicked it to the right post for the game-winning goal. It was Oster's first goal since the 2013 season.

It is the Pacers' third-straight home win over rival Neuman (1-5-1, 0-1 CSAC).

Markus Donahoe and Daniel Hull also scored for the Pacers. Cody Gangware and Cole Belcher each earned their first collegiate points with an assist.

Marywood recouped after coughing up a two-goal lead. Donahoe was able to find net for the first time this season when he perfectly headed a cross into the net in the 29th minute. Hull broke out of his scoring drought with a tally in the 43rd minute. Belcher centered a pass to Hull, who one-timed it from nine yards away for his fifth of the season.

As usual, Neumann did not go down without a flair for theatrics. Abu Donzo converted a penalty kick in the 56th minute to halve the lead to 2-1. The diminutive Tben Donnie rose above a crowd of defenders to head a loose ball in front of net (via Jack Norwood) to even the score in the 64th minute.

Justin Sunseri made six saves for the Pacers. Neumann's Tim Glaccum made five saves, in addition to the team save in the second overtime period.

Marywood played its fourth overtime contest in eight games. Each one went to double overtime.

The box score proved to be remarkably even for the two CSAC heavyweights. Neumann held to a 20-16 advantage in shots; however, both teams stood even at 13 through 90 minutes. The Knights were unable to capitalize on six shots in a Knight-dominated first overtime period. Marywood had a 7-6 edge in shots on goal. Both teams finished with six corner kicks.

The two teams combined for an astounding 45 fouls.

Marywood ended a three-game losing streak that was its longest since 2012. The Pacers square against Elmira College Tuesday evening at 4:00 pm in Southern Tier New York. Marywood returns home next Saturday against Gwynedd Mercy at 3:00 pm.
 
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