Harding Tops Men’s Soccer With Double OT Penalty Kick
Septmber 12, 2009

SEARCY, Ark. - Harding University’s Drew Nowlin scored on a penalty kick attempt early in the second overtime to lead the Bison past The University of Texas at Tyler men’s soccer team, 1-0, on Saturday at First Security Stadium in Searcy.

The game was a defensive struggle throughout with goalkeepers from both teams turning in tremendous efforts. In the final 10 minutes of regulation the Patriots attempted to put the game away, but the Harding defense came up with three huge saves to force the game into overtime.

In the first overtime, the Patriots (0-3) had the lone shot on goal of the period, but Bison goalkeeper Andrew Flesher kept his team alive by making his sixth save of the day. With neither team scoring after 100 minutes, the game headed for a final 10 minute period.

One minute and three seconds into the second overtime, the Patriots were charged with a foul inside the box to give Harding a chance to win the game on a penalty kick. Nowlin connected on the attempt to give his team the 1-0 win and their first victory of the season.

Junior goalkeeper Mark Oliphant (Bedford, Texas) went over 101 minutes in the game, allowing only one goal and making four saves in the process.

Senior Tony Guillen (Longview, Texas) and freshman Chris Powell (Houston, Texas) led UT Tyler in shots on goal in the match with two each.

The Patriots will close out a season-opening four game road trip on Sunday when they travel to Arkadelphia, Ark., to take on Ouachita Baptist at 3 p.m.

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