SSCC shocks PSU-GA in sudden death overtime

In their second game of the season, the Southern State Community College soccer team defeated Penn State University – Greater Allegheny Aug. 31 in a sudden death overtime thriller.

“The ‘golden goal’ delivered by Noah Mesker was a perfect ending to our Pennsylvania road trip,” said SSCC Head Coach Josh Thoroman.

The previous day, the SSCC Patriots fell to Penn State University – New Kensington in the season opener.

After a scoreless first half on a rain-saturated field, freshman Jake Vickers (Wilmington H.S. graduate) maneuvered through the midfield and connected with his brother, sophomore Sam Vickers (Wilmington H.S. graduate), who was able to blast his shot past the keeper to give the Patriots a 1-0 lead. The goal came eight minutes into the second half.

PSU-GA was able to tie the game at 1-1 with a goal in the 63rd minute. PSU-GA’s goal keeper, Giovanni Vega, turned in a solid performance and kept his team in the game. His 11 saves against Southern State earned him the Goal Keeper of the Week Award from the United States Collegiate Athletic Association. Southern State had 17 shots and 13 shots on goal. PSU-GA had 17 shots, but only six shots on goal.

“With the game tied 1-1, the final 27 minutes were extremely intense,” said Thoroman. “If a college game is tied after 90 minutes, then up to two sudden-death overtimes are played before a tie would be officially recorded. But we did not need a second overtime.”

SSCC freshman Noah Mesker (Washington H.S. graduate) entered the game midway through the first overtime period and, with 36 seconds remaining, he delivered the "golden goal" and a victory to Southern State. Mesker was assisted by former high school teammate and SSCC team captain Josh Moore (Washington H.S. graduate).

Mesker sent the shot past Vega, then lay on the ground with his hands in the air. Within moments, his teammates piled on top of him in celebration of the hard-fought win.

“On the defensive side, sophomore co-captain Colt West (Lynchburg-Clay H.S. graduate) was everywhere, and goal keeper Tyler Gray (Peebles H.S. graduate) was outstanding,” said Thoroman. “Co-captains Greg Roades (Hillsboro H.S. graduate), Josh Moore and Jake Vickers were solid across the midfield. Forwards Sam Vickers and Stone Crothers (Peebles H.S. graduate) were consistently dangerous throughout the game, and Tyler Davidson (Lynchburg-Clay H.S. graduate) was very solid in the center of the field.”

For photos, game recaps, and the 2014 schedule, visit www.sscc.edu/athletics/menssoccer.

To learn more about the soccer program at Southern State Community College, contact Athletic Director Matt Wells at 1-800-628-7722, ext. 2697, or mwells@sscc.edu.