DANVILLE, Va. — Freshman
Daniel Surley's goal in the 104th minute lifted the Averett men's soccer team to an exhilarating 3-2 double overtime win against Ferrum College on Wednesday night at Daly Field. It was Averett's fourth consecutive victory and second straight overtime win.
After Averett (6-8, 5-2 USA South) and Ferrum (4-9, 2-4 USA South) fought each other tooth and nail, the game appeared to be headed towards a draw. However, Surley took possession of the ball in the middle of the pitch and passed it out to senior
Ricki Roman who was open down the right wing. Roman controlled the pass, dribbled a few steps, and sent a perfect ball over the middle to Surley, who took it down on his chest and fired his shot into the right side of the net to lift the Cougars to the victory.
The team and several members of the student section rushed Surley and a brief celebration erupted on the field.
Surley's goal completed a dramatic comeback for Averett, which trailed by two goals early in the contest.
Facing a 2-1 deficit with only 18 seconds left in the first half, junior
Kevin Watford scored his second goal of the season to knot the score. Freshman
Dennis Edstrom played a long ball up to sophomore
Ville Hautakangas who was waiting in the box. Hautakangas flicked the ball over to Watford who made good on his attempt.
Ferrum took control of the game early, using a pair of goals from Jordan Gibson and Shamarr Perry to take a two-goal advantage after 23 minutes.
Sophomore
David Cuperman got the comeback started for the Cougars when he took a pass from junior
Kelee Marcy and fired in his shot to cut Averett's deficit to one at the 35:36 mark.
The victory marks the Cougars longest winning streak since its three-game win streak last season, that was ironically continued in a 2-1 victory over Ferrum.
Second-year freshman goalkeeper
Austin Bramhall continued his impressive play, recording 10 saves on the evening for Averett.
The Cougars take the field again on Oct. 9 when they host Greesboro College at 1 p.m. on Daly Field.
