Box Score

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – Junior Simon Neubauer deflected home a golden goal in the 108th minute of play on Wednesday night from David See Field to propel the Shippensburg University men's soccer team to a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over a strong squad from NYIT.

A frenetic overtime session that featured 10 shots, seven fouls, three corner kicks and two yellow cards ended with 2:17 remaining in the contest. After a foul was whistled well back into Shippensburg territory, junior Austin Hill launched a through ball about 50 yards that caromed toward the NYIT goal box.

The bounce went toward sophomore Andrew Collier, who headed the ball forward. Before the goalkeeper could corral the ball, Neubauer stuck his foot out to deflect a shot past the drawn-out keeper and into the back of the net for his first goal of the season.

Shippensburg (9-4-2) opened the scoring in the 11th minute off a free kick. Given a chance from about 25 yards out, sophomore Oli Templeton sent a wicked bender into the net for his third goal of the season.

NYIT (11-3-2) responded 10 minutes later by scoring two goals in a 91-second span to take the lead. Both goals were scored by Vinny Caccavale – the first on a free kick from just outside the goal box – and the second after a defensive breakdown allowed him to be sent free on a mini-breakaway after a feed by teammate Matthew DiDonna.

The Raiders, who outshot the Bears 24-11 for the match, really turned the pressure on in the second half. The only goal of the frame was scored in the 64th minute on a beautiful passing play in the box. Freshman Fred Lucas sent a touch to Collier, who then fed freshman Chrissy Black. After one fake, Black delivered his team-leading fifth goal of the season to tie the score at 2-2.

SU also had several other opportunities in the match for goals. Neubauer shot a rocket off the crossbar just 24 seconds after he checked into the game in the 30th minute. Sophomore Tom Stagg was sent in on a breakaway in the 49th minute but his shot was stopped by the drawn-out NYIT keeper.

The Bears had a great chance to score the game-winning goal in the 85th minute but junior Andrew Foran made a diving save off a header in the box that resulted from a NYIT free kick. Foran finished the game making four saves.

Shippensburg concludes the regular season at 5:30 p.m. Saturday from No. 16 California (Pa.). SU needs a win over the Vulcans and a loss by Mercyhurst to qualify for the PSAC Tournament. However, a victory over the Vulcans would most importantly put Shippensburg in prime position for a potential berth in the NCAA tournament.