Garcia’s Goal in Final Seconds Lift Purdue Calumet to 2-1 Win over TIU

PUC-Garcias-Goal-in-Final-Seconds-Lift-Purdue-Calumet-to-2-1-Win-over-TIUAfter trailing 1-0 in the first half of the match, the Purdue University Calumet men’s soccer team battled back to pick up a 2-1 double overtime victory against Trinity International University Wednesday at Dowling Park’s Pepsi Field.

With 21 seconds left in the final overtime period, Nicolau Monteiro (Rio de Janerio, Brazil/ IBMEC) crossed a ball from the left side of the box to Junior Cristian Garcia (Whiting, Ind./Clark) in front of the goal, who used his chest to push the ball to the back of the net to give the Black and Gold the 2-1 victory.

The Peregrines (7-1-1, 3-1 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference) trailed early in the opening half, after the Trojans (6-3, 1-2 CCAC) connected on a goal by Zach Reget to take a 1-0 lead in the 6th minute of play.

Both teams would stay scoreless for the remainder of the half, with TIU keeping a 1-0 advantage heading in to the break.

With less than ten minutes to go in the second half, senior defender Pedro Mendieta (Lynwood, Ill./Mr. Carmel/Elmhurst) served a ball from the left side of the field to Kwesi Annoh (Browns Mills, NJ/Pemberton Township), who drilled a ball from the right side of the box off a Trojan defender for a TIU own goal to even the score, 1-1.

TIU would have a last minute goal waved off due to being offside, which was the last scoring chance for either team in regulation, heading in to overtime tied at 1-1.

After a scoreless first overtime period, the Peregrines offensive attack at the end of double overtime proved to be what put the Black and Gold over the top.

Freshman Jonathan Lozano (Hammond, Ind./Bishop Noll) picked up his first win as a Peregrine keeper, recording one save in 109 minutes of play in the victory.

The Peregrines outshot the Trojans 16-6 and won the corner kick battle, 9-4.

Purdue Calumet will return to action next Tuesday, Oct. 6 as they travel to Joliet, Ill. to face CCAC rival St. Francis. The match is set to begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Joliet Memorial Stadium.