ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s soccer team secured the No. 3 seed in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Playoffs on Saturday with a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory at Hamline. Cody Billins’ (Fy., Farmington, Minn.) first career goal came with just five seconds remaining in the first overtime period to seal the victory in the regular season finale. The Gusties improve to 7-8-1 overall and 6-3-1 in the MIAC, and will host No. 6 seed Augsburg at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the first round of league playoffs.
“Good win today. That’s six out of the last seven games won, and 18 out of the last 21 points on offer gained,” Head Coach Mike Middleton said. “We played very well in the first half in particular, hitting the post twice and creating multiple chances. Patrick Roth being denied one-on-one by the goalkeeper who made a nice save with his foot when Patrick was free on goal.”
Patrick Roth (Sr., Stillwater, Minn.) gave the Gusties a 1-0 lead at the 26:10 mark in the first period on an assist from Isaac Bloom (Jr., Edina, Minn.).
“Patrick Roth was causing a lot of problems for their defense and popped up a score 10 minutes later [after the aforementioned chance] by taking the ball out of the air on a cross from Isaac Bloom, with a lovely first touch, slipping it passed the goalkeeper,” Middleton said. “That 1-0 score at halftime looked like the game was over. But we had to go into overtime to get the job done. Freshman Cody Billins headed a nice cross in from Isaac Bloom to take the three points home. I’m very proud of the lads who were not to be cowered today, standing tall and proving their worth. A well deserved three points in the bag.”
Matt Bateman (So., Savage, Minn.) improved to 6-3-0 after making five saves in 99:55 minutes of work.
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One response to “Last Minute First Overtime Goal Gives Men’s Soccer 2-1 Win At Hamline, No. 3 Seed For Playoffs”
Congratulations and good luck in the playoffs!