Tata Rescues Bobcats in Overtime for Homecoming Victory

Senior Mitchell Muise

Saturday's game against St. Mary's had playoff implications.  With a loss, we would probably be in a position that we would need to win the remaining three games just to make the playoffs. The game had a little extra incentive as it was Senior day, Homecoming weekend, and an opportunity to get back at St. Mary's for knocking us out of the playoffs last year.

The game got off to a quick start, to the benefit of St. Mary's, when a Frostburg player mistakenly played a back pass directly to a St. Mary's player who was able to attack the the back line and get off a great shot from about 20 yds out that beat our diving goalkeeper.

We responded well and played some pretty good soccer throughout the half despite being down a goal just five minutes into the game.  Jon Lippitt used some nifty ball skills to beat a St. Mary's defender as he slipped the ball to Guy Nabo for an easy tap in with just nine seconds remaining in the half.

Nabo Goal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRjeP5Y3DiQ

The second half was back and forth as both teams had several near misses.  The wind picked up and even some snow started to fall for a ten a minute period which really gave the game a playoff atmosphere.

With about five minutes remaining in the 2nd overtime Rodrigo Valenzuela played a ball across the goal mouth for Elliot Quinteros.  Quinteros' shot was saved by a sliding defender, but Kelvin Tata was on the spot to drill home the rebound from a tough angle.

Tata Goal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR2RRwzBOa0

Kelvin Tata

Right now we sit at 9-4-1 and 3-2-1 in CAC play which puts us as the 5th seed currently.  There will surely be some shake up with theses final three remaining games and anything is still possible as we are only four points back of the leaders, Wesley College.

Next up will be Penn St. Harrisburg on Wednesday night at 7pm.