Box Score
by Kevin Buczek
WILSON, N.C.-Sophomore midfielder Nick Ahlquist finished off a counter rush just 2:09 into overtime for the golden goal that provided the Barton College men's soccer team with a 1-0 (OT) Conference Carolinas men's soccer victory over Lees-McRae College on Saturday night.
The Bobcats nearly won the game a minute earlier when they were awarded a penalty kick but the attempt by sophomore Andrew Shoemaker bounced off the right goal post and Barton's defense cleared the threat by kicking the ball out of bounds.
Lees-McRae was able to get a long shot on goal by junior defender Scott Hudgins on the ensuing corner kick but junior goalkeeper Vasily Yakimkin confidently made the save. Barton made the transition off the save and sophomore Dante De Luca brought the ball into the offensive third before setting up his classmate with the golden goal. Ahlquist received the pass on the right edge of the box and took a low shot that rattled off the far post and into the goal.
Ahlquist's third goal of the season moved Barton to .500 on the season at 7-7-1. The Bulldogs finished regular season league play at 6-4-0 overall and moved into third position in the conference standings. Barton will wait the final week of the regular season to see if they maintain a top-four position to host a quarterfinal game in the 2012 Conference Carolinas Tournament on Tuesday, October 30.
De Luca improved his league-leading point total to 30 after notching the helper on the game-ending tally.
Lees-McRae (3-9-3, 2-4-2) played its fourth consecutive overtime game but unlike the first three the Bobcats were unable to secure any league points with a potential fourth straight tie.
Yakimkin only had two saves on the night but he broke up numerous crosses by the Bobcats throughout regulation. Yakimkin and the Bulldogs defense anchored by sophomore Ben Bradley, freshman Jovan Gracia, freshman Drew Williams and junior Patrick Schultze posted its fifth shutout in its last seven matches.
"It was a great defensive game at the Barton athletic complex tonight that opened up late in the game," said Barton head coach Matt Akins, who was finally able to get a win against the perennial Conference Carolinas power. "After what had the potential to be a game ending mistake we rebounded off their missed PK and attacked with the game winner with one of the top goals this season. I am proud the boys found a way to win as it was a hard fought battle that they deserved."
The Royal Blue and White finished with a 10-9 shot edge and 4-3 corner kick advantage. The Bobcats took one more shot attempt that Barton, 4-3, in the first half before the Bulldogs seemed to control play in the second half with a 6-3 shot surplus in the second 45 minutes.
The victory marked the first win for Barton men's soccer over Lees-McRae since 2004 (seven straight losses from 2005-11).
Barton will prepare for the Conference Carolinas Tournament with its regular season finale on Saturday, October 27. The Bulldogs will host NAIA St. Andrews University at 3 p.m. in a contest that will serve as Senior Day during the College's homecoming festivities.
