CCU

VCU Defeats Men's Soccer 3-2 in OT

       

VCU Defeats Men's Soccer 3-2 in OT

CONWAY, S.C. — After falling behind by two goals early in the second half, Coastal Carolina's men's soccer team battled back to force overtime, but eventually fell to Virginia Commonwealth, 3-2, Wednesday night at the CCU Soccer Stadium. VCU's Matthew Delicate tallied all three goals for the Rams (6-5-1), the last ending the game just 3:52 into the extra session.

After a scoreless first half, the Rams upped the pace, and got on the board as Delicate won a loose ball in the middle of the penalty area, and beat CCU's helpless goalkeeper, Eric Sullivan, in the 49th minute. Delicate doubled the lead less then three minutes later, as a desperate flick from teammate Roam Otten found him wide open at the mouth of the goal.

``We defended very well in the first half, but they hit us quickly in the first five minutes of the second,'' Coastal Coach Shaun Docking said. ``VCU is one the best teams we'll face all year, and for us not to give up showed good character as we clawed back into the game.''

With the game seemingly put away, the Chanticleers (4-6-1) struck back with two goals just 49 seconds apart. Matt Feraci scored his fifth of the season as he beat VCU goalkeeper Steve Ankiel from 16 yards out at 85:08, off an assist from Jason Smith. Justin Stone stunned the Rams with the equalizer at 85:57 as Mike Littlefield beat his defender and sent a cross into the six, where Stone one-touched it home to send the game into overtime.

Coastal's momentum was short lived however, as Delicate netted the hat trick, deflecting a ball short-post past CCU's backup goalkeeper, Andrew Paxton. His eighth goal of the season came off of low, hard cross from Cory Greiner, as Delicate beat a pair of defenders.

``I was disappointed that we gave away two goals like that,'' Delicate said, ``but at this time of the year we need results and that's what we got. We are coming off a tough stretch of the schedule, and hopefully getting a win in a game like this will help us once we get back into conference play.''