From Washington University Athletics
Freshman Kyle Perez made the most of his first collegiate goal, scoring the game-winner, to lead the Washington University in St. Louis men's soccer team a 3-2 overtime victory at No. 2-ranked Wheaton College (Ill.) Saturday night in Wheaton, Ill.
Perez ripped a shot from 35 yards in the upper corner in the 94thminute to lead WashU to its first win over a ranked opponent since Oct. 10, 2012 – a 1-0 win at No. 15 University of Rochester.
WashU improved to 2-1 with the win, while Wheaton dropped to 2-1.
"We started very strong and controlled the first 20 minutes of the game," said WashU head coach Joe Clarke. "Wheaton had two good chances in overtime, but we capitalized on our chance."
WashU nearly took the lead in the 10th minute when sophomore Kevin Maedomari's shot went off the crossbar. Six minutes later, the Thunder had a run-in with the cross bar as Josh Green's header went off the side post and out of bounds for a goal kick.
Junior back Kevin Goon gave the Bears a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute after he headed home a cross from senior back Cole Davis. WashU had a 7-3 advantage in shots in the opening half.
Senior Jack West quickly made it 2-0 for the Bears two minutes into the second half as he netted an unassisted goal from the top of the 18.
Wheaton cut the lead in half with a penalty kick in the 59th minute, and then Noah Gulley headed home a cross from Max Carey to tie the match in the 87th minute.
"We are about a process. We are going to win and lose some games. We want to get better and that is what we focused on tonight," added Clarke. "We grew a lot after last night…despite the loss."
Each team had 14 shots, while WashU had a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks. Junior Nick Tannenbaum (1-1) made two saves and picked up the win in goal.
WashU returns to action with a home game Saturday, Sept. 12, at 7 p.m., against Dominican University (Ill.).
BEAR NOTEBOOK: Wheaton leads the all-time series between the two teams 18-12-4, and the first win by the Bears over the Thunder since 2010 … It was the 18th match in the series that has been decided by one goal.