Michael Holder launches his shot in overtime to give NKU a 2-1 victory.
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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. –
Michael Holder enjoys working overtime, and the freshman striker for the Northern Kentucky University men's soccer team knows how to finish in dramatic fashion once the extra session begins.
Holder drilled a 12-yard shot into the back of the net at the 97:07 mark Friday night to give NKU a 2-1 overtime victory against Quincy in the first round of the NCAA Division II Midwest Region Tournament at the NKU Soccer Stadium. It marked the third time this season Holder ended a contest with a goal in overtime.
NKU (16-2-3) is ranked No. 4 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll and is the top seed in the Midwest Regional.
Late in regulation, though, it appeared underdog Quincy (11-7-2) was going to pull off the shocker, as the Hawks held a 1-0 lead. Quincy took a 1-0 lead in the first half on a goal by Grant Ellison and owned that edge at halftime despite being out-shot 14-2 in the opening 45 minutes of play.
NKU pulled even at the 84:32 mark when
Steven Beattie scored his 21st goal of the season, a 12-yard shot after taking a pass from
Jack Little. That set the stage for Holder's heroics in overtime. The winning play began with a pass from
Jordan Kotsopoulos, who played the ball to Beattie in the open field.
Beattie then placed a perfect through ball to Holder, who dribbled into the box and fired a 12-yard shot past Quincy goalie D.J. Lampert into the back of the net on the left post.
NKU finished with a 25-12 advantage in shots and an 8-1 edge in corner kicks.
NKU will meet No. 21 Missouri S&T - which posted a 3-1 victory over Ashland in Friday's other first-round contest - for the regional championship Sunday at 1 p.m.
NKU owns two overtime victories against Missouri S&T this season, including a 2-1 triumph during the semifinals of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament last week. Holder netted both winning goals in overtime against Missouri S&T.
