Box Score by Kevin Buczek
WILSON, N.C.-Sophomore Erik Pajunk (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) lifted the Barton College men's soccer team to an impressive 2-1 overtime victory over Conference Carolinas foe Erskine College on Saturday night with a golden goal in the 95th minute.
Pajunk curled a beautiful shot into the back right twine from just outside the top of 18-yard box that ended the game in the first sudden victory overtime period as No. 10 Southeast Region ranked Barton improved to 9-4 overall and 5-3 in the league while earning three important points in the conference standings.
"Tonight's game was a roller coaster of momentum," said Barton head coach Matt Akins. "While the bulldogs pulled deep and won a big emotional game it as a learning experience as well, one that we need to show the composure to put teams away when we have the chance, it is nice to learn and still win however!"
Barton jumped out to an early lead in the eighth minute on a sophomore Danilo Matos (Lauro de Freitas, Brazil) tally but the Flying Fleet rallied to force overtime on a 68th minute goal by freshman Andrew Settlemire (Beaufort, S.C.).
Erskine outshot Barton 10-4 in the second half and had the momentum heading into overtime until Pajunk had just enough space to take the game-winning shot midway through the first 10-minute OT period. The dangerous Pajunk – who ranks No. 1 nationally as of the last NCAA Statistics Report (Oct. 9) in both points and assists per game – scored his 13th goal on an assist by freshman Dante De Luca (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil).
De Luca also had the helper on the Bulldogs first goal as he made a crossing pass from the left that found Matos cutting to the net for the one-time precision touch and score. Matos has six goals and De Luca doubled his assist total to four.
Barton held a 9-7 shot edge in the first half and had several other great chances to break open the score but was unable to convert. In the 37th minute, Barton nearly scored twice on back-to-back corner kicks taken by junior Richard Worthy (Cannock, England). Freshman Ben Bradley headed the first one on frame but Erskine sophomore goalie Roberto De La Vina (Oviedo, Spain) made the save by hitting the ball over the crossbar. On the second try De Luca fired a hard shot just high.
The Fleet took control after halftime but Barton senior netminder Brian Riesenberg (Fort Thomas, Ky.) was up to the task making five of his eight saves in the second half. Riesenberg improved to 9-1 on the season.
Barton will have its biggest test yet this Wednesday when the Bulldogs host Conference Carolinas East Division rival and No. 11 nationally ranked Coker College at 7 p.m.
