CLINTON, S.C. – Jonny Mercado (Lilburn, Ga.) struck home a
penalty kick goal in the second overtime of Tuesday's men's soccer match
between Presbyterian College and the visiting Longwood Lancers, giving the
Blue Hose a crucial 2-1 win in the squad's Big South Conference opener.
PC grabs its first victory of the season and moves to 1-1-0
overall and 1-0-0 in league action. Longwood falls to 0-2-0 overall and in the
Big South.
In the 101st minute, Josh Carter (Anchorage,
Alaska) drew a foul in the penalty box that set up a Blue Hose penalty kick.
Mercado's try found the back of the net, marking the team's second straight win
in a Big South Conference opener. The Blue Hose knocked off VMI in last year's
conference debut, 3-1.
After a scoreless first half, PC trailed when Longwood's Philip
Van Berkom drove home a Brian Henry corner kick to put the visitors ahead in
the 48th minute.
The Blue Hose responded thanks to a 75th minute
score from Ignacio Monchetti (Montevideo, Uruguay). The sophomore took advantage
of a challenge from goalkeeper Carl Carpenter and dribbled past the netminder,
tucking away a shot from close range to tie the match. The goal marked PC's
first of the season and would eventually set up overtime.
PC goalkeeper Tyler Beadle (Douglasville, Ga.) made six
saves on the night, stopping two shots each in the first three periods. Two of
his saves came in quick succession after Monchetti's goal, keeping PC even en
route to the extra periods. The night's result gives the newcomer his first win
as a Blue Hose.
The match saw a back-and-forth effort from both sides.
Longwood kept three PC shots out of the net in the first half as each team
tested the other for weaknesses.
Monchetti led the squad with two shots on goal, while four
other PC players picked up one each.
Freshman Greg White (Stockbridge, Ga.) made his first start
in a Blue Hose kit, tallying the team's first shot on goal against the Lancers.
PC stays at home for its next match, a Friday night
non-conference contest against East Tennessee State. Kick-off is slated for 7
p.m. and the Big South Network will carry the webstream.
