Box Score LYNDON CENTER, Vt. – Saturday, the Lyndon State College men's soccer team dropped its first North Atlantic Conference match of the season to Castleton University in overtime, 1-0. The winning goal was scored by junior Derek Blouin with ten seconds left in the first overtime period.
After a Lyndon foul, the Spartans were awarded a free kick on the right side of Hornet territory. The kick landed in the box but the Hornets were unable to get the ball cleared after keeping the ball away from the first attack. Blouin found the loose ball just inside the box and blasted a shot by keeper Matt LaClair (Beekmantown, N.Y.) for the win.
The first half was played even with both teams mounting attacks but coming up empty. In the 33rd minute, the Spartans let off a hard shot at goal that was deflected by LaClair but still moved toward the net. Senior Yuol Herjok (Bor, South Sudan) was there to head the ball away, saving the Hornets.
The second half continued much the same. In the 53rd minute, a streaking Hunter Torrey (Newbury, Vt.) was unable to reach a lead pass in front of the net which could have turned the tables in favor of the Hornets. In the 70th minute, a well-placed cross from senior Spartan Jake Tietgens in front of the net passed through untouched by either squad. The second period ended with the score still 0-0 despite great efforts from both sides.
After five minutes of rest the teams were back onto the field for a ten-minute golden goal overtime period. Blouin would not squander his chance in the 100th minute and Spartans left the field with a 1-0 record in NAC play (5-2-0 overall).
The Hornets (0-5-0, 0-1-0 NAC) return to the pitch Wednesday to host Vermont Technical College at 4:00pm. The Spartans travel to play Norwich Tuesday at 7:00pm.
