By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media
Photo Courtesy of Bryan Sports Information
DAYTON, Tenn. – A 98th-minute score sent Bryan (Tenn.) to victory over Reinhardt men's soccer on Saturday in the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championship Semifinals, as the Lions held off the Eagles' upset bid in thrilling fashion, 3-2, in overtime in Tennessee.
"There is no easy way to conclude a season's journey as a team and to concede a goal in the final two minutes of overtime is particularly difficult," head coach Joey Johnson said. "It was an evenly-contested match with opportunities for both teams to capitalize on and advance to the AAC Championship final… In the end, at this level, it is the slimmest of margins that can prove to be the difference. It was a battle today between two teams that, in my opinion, played the match in the manner which it should be played.
I want to thank my seniors - captain Eric Weixlbaumer, captain Nathan Ashburn, Taylor Gray and Antonio Ciardiello for their leadership and investment in our program as they have represented Reinhardt with distinction during their time with us."
Reinhardt (11-6-1) got on the board first compliments of Aaron Whitten at 13:40 after he was found on a nice pass from Antonio Ciardiello. The hosts would then net back-to-back shots – the first in the 18th minute – to take a 2-1 advantage into the locker room.
Just over 13 minutes into the second half, Whitten was found again and tied the score at 2-2 after a feed from Yosr Frej.
The Eagles, who tallied 14 shots, couldn't quite find the right connection to hit the back of the net the rest of the way. Bryan put more pressure on the Reinhardt defense with 10 attempts in the second period alone.
Regulation came and went as both teams had their eyes on a spot in the finals next week.
The hometown team immediately went on the attack in extra time looking for that golden goal, and the Eagles accumulated three shots in just under a minute – one blocked, one high and one wide – but couldn't earn victory.
The Lions would respond and make their visitors pay with the match-winning score at 2:12 on the clock in overtime.
Frej and Whitten both had five shots.
Severin Ryf went wire-to-wire in the goal and made five stops.
For up-to-the-minute Eagles sports news, follow Reinhardt Athletics on Facebook, @RU_Eagles on Twitter and @ru_eagles on Instagram.
