Box Score by Kevin Buczek
WILSON, N.C.-Senior Erik Pajunk scored two goals in less than a 10-minute span to lift the NSCAA Southeast Region fifth-ranked Barton College men's soccer team to a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory over Southeast Region foe Lenoir-Rhyne University Wednesday evening.
Pajunk scored the equalizer with just 5:20 left in regulation with a precise free kick just above the 18-yard box into the upper-right corner twine. The Rio de Janeiro, Brazil product then ended the game by punching in the game-winner from close range just 3:31 into the first overtime.
Junior Kevin Strassburger set up the late theatrics with a nice dribble up the middle of the field before passing the ball off to senior Jonathan Rembecki on the left wing. Rembecki took the pass and brought it to the edge of the box before dishing it off to Pajunk, who quickly turned with the ball and fired a low shot inside the left post.
Barton improved to 4-1 on the season and 2-0 at home. The Bulldogs will next open up Conference Carolinas play during Family Weekend against North Greenville University on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Pajunk, who has three goals on the season, came very close to having a hat trick on the night when his first shot hit the crossbar in the fifth minute. Pajunk's four-point evening did move him into a tie for the team lead in points (9) with sophomore Alex David, who had a four-game goal scoring streak come to an end.
The Bulldogs had to persevere most of the contest having to play a man-down after freshman goalkeeper Jens Madsen Hordvik was given a red card in the 23rd minute for grabbing the ball with his hands just outside the box.
Lenoir-Rhyne (1-3-1 overall) was able to capitalize 11 minutes later. Senior Ben Jones was credited with the 35th-minute goal when he slid a pass across the front of the goal from the right corner and it deflected into the net off a Barton defender trying to clear it. Freshman Eric Elder earned an assist on the play.
Junior Marcus Strath had the immediate answer for Barton scoring just 68 seconds later by stealing the ball and rifling a 30-yard shot inside the right post. Freshman goalie Jorge Hernandez was able to get a hand on the Strath shot but the hard shot had enough momentum to cross the goal line and provide Strath with his first goal at Barton.
The Bears once again took a one-goal lead on a goal in the 65th minute by junior Makonnan Clare. Sophomore DeJean Charlton made a long pass from the defensive zone up the left flank to Clare, who was then able to execute a tough-angle shot from the left sideline off the far post and into the goal.
Pajunk earned Barton's late free kick with one of his many good runs towards the goal with the ball. He was taken down just above the box and was rewarded with the dangerous chance that he capitalized upon with a shot that had virtually no chance of being saved.
The final five minutes of regulation and the first three minutes of overtime did not yield another shot until Pajunk received the decisive pass from Rembecki and sent the Bulldogs bench storming the field after he netted the winner in the 94th minute.
Barton played the final 71 minutes down a man but still finished with a slight 13-10 shot edge while taking all five corner kicks.
Junior Derek Collins (1-0) picked up the win in net for the Bulldogs with two saves after the red card was issued to Hordvik.
