DANVILLE, Va.— The Averett University men's soccer team (1-1-1) won its first match of the 2017 campaign in thrilling fashion with a 1-0 overtime win over Guilford College. Junior Huso Dukic collected the overtime goal in the 91st minute to help the Cougars prevail Friday night.

Guilford came out on the attack from the opening whistle creating multiple quality scoring chances in the first ten minutes of the game. The Quakers nearly grabbed the early lead in the 10th minute when a cross on the far side of the field found the head of Omar Soils, but unfortunately for Guilford his attempt hit the crossbar.

After this chance, Averett picked up their own offensive game and produced ten shots in the last 35 minutes of the first half. The best chance that Averett had in the first frame came in the 15th minute of play. Junior Ville Hautakangas beat the keeper to a bouncing ball in the box and chipped it towards goal to only have his scoring opportunity saved on the goal line by a Quaker defender. Each team was scoreless at the halftime break.

The Cougars used the halftime break to their advantage and it showed as they outshot Guilford in the second half, 9-0. Averett controlled the pace and that turned into some quality scoring opportunities on net, but to no avail. The physicality in the game also picked up as the head referee handed out five yellow cards in the second half alone. Both teams were unable to find the back of the net and the game entered overtime.

Averett's relentless pressure finally paid off in the overtime period, when the navy and gold were awarded a free kick inside the Guilford end of the field. Junior Sean Dunbar struck his cross to the near corner of the six yard box. The Guilford keeper went up to grab it, but could not come down with it cleanly. The loose ball fell behind him where Dukic was there unmarked to knock in the game-winner.

The Cougars return to the pitch on Wednesday, Sept. 13, when Roanoke College comes to town for a non-conference matchup. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.