Box Score
HAMBURG, NY – After spotting the Thiel College Tomcats a one-goal lead within the first fifteen minutes of play, the Hilbert College men’s soccer team battled back and dominated play the remainder of the way, but couldn’t pull out the victory and settled for a 1-1 tie, in double overtime. Jonathan Davison added to his scoring numbers with the Hawk’s only goal in the second half. Hilbert held the advantage in every offensive category, but stealer play by Andrew Hindman in net for Thiel prevented the Hawks from winning the non-conference nod.
Rory Duncan netted his fourth goal this season when he took a short feed inside the box and pushed it to the lower right corner beyond Jeremy Kraska’s reach at 13:32. That advantage carried the Tomcats through to half time.
After intermission, the Hawks came out and played with a purpose. They outshot Thiel 12-1 and held a 4-0 advantage in corner kicks the second forty-five. Mario Williams' hard shot was deflected back into play by Hindman and Davison reached for the rebound and struck it home for the Hawks.
It got a little crazy on the field with about ten minutes left to play in regulation. Andy D’Amico and Davison had great looks at the frame, but Hindman cleared the ball from both shooters. Then at 79:39, Davison again had a potential game-winning goal deflected by Hindman rebound back to the speedy forward who shot again. Yet this time a Tomcat defender saved the day by blocking the ball out of play.
Neither team could sneak the ball into the goal during the two ten-minute overtime periods which resulted in the 1-1 tie. Hilbert outshot Thiel 24-8 and held a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks. Hindman was credited with 16 saves to Kraska’s 2.
The Hawks back line defenders, James Knapp, Scott Cvetkovski and Mike Gee played outstanding defense by limiting Thiel to only 8 shots during the 110 minute contest.
Up next for Hilbert is their first Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference game at Mount Aloysius College September 22.