Northern Kentucky University Athletics

Box Score

DAYTON, Ohio – The Northern Kentucky University men's soccer team rallied behind two goals from freshman Setho Moshoeshoe to earn a victory in overtime against the Eastern Illinois Panthers on Sunday.
 
The Norse looked to bounce back from their 5-1 defeat to Dayton on Friday and the first half showed signs of a different team. NKU was controlling the ball well in the midfield but it failed to translate into many chances. Brendan Murphy took the first crack of the day for the Norse from just outside the box. He struck the ball with power but it sailed over the crossbar.
 
Austin Pierce had the best chance from either side in the first half as he weaved in between two defenders on the far side of the field and blasted a shot in from the edge of the box. The Panthers' keeper was able to slide into position and collect the shot with ease.
 
Things started moving well for the Panthers in the last ten minutes of the first half as they took a few dangerous corners. A free ball was sent goal-ward by Kyle Callender after A.J. Fleak punched the initial cross. Alex Weber threw his body in front of the shot to keep it scoreless headed into halftime. Danny Laird added a late first half chance for the Norse, heading the ball just wide of the goal. The Panthers outshot the Norse 5-3 in the first half.
 
"For the second game in a row, we just weren't getting things done," said head coach John Basalyga. "We just didn't know what to expect today. I'm not sure if it was the heat or what, but we looked a little more fresh than them (EIU) in the second half."
 
The second half started out well when Caleb Eastham intercepted a pass and had a clear shot on goal. He blasted the ball just off target, over the crossbar. The Panthers responded quickly by sending in a cross that Fleak had to stretch out to clear, but he was unable to save the rebound from Tayron Martin that went into the top left of the goal. The Panthers took the lead in the 50 minute and continued to pressure the Norse defense.  
 
The Norse had a chance to equalize in the 67th minute when O'Reilly took a free kick just outside the box. The shot was blocked and cleared away. Moments later, Nicholas Chiarot took a shot that was deflected out of play. Justin Wolstenholme received the ball from the ensuing corner but his shot was saved with a diving effort from the Panthers' keeper.
 
In the 89th minute, Moshoeshoe netted the equalizer off a deflected clearance. He gathered possession inside the box and sent the shot powerfully over the head of the keeper with seconds remaining in the contest. The full-time whistle blew and the Norse were heading into overtime for the second time in three games this season with the score tied 1-1.
 
"The ball was deflected and I was just able to be there and put it in with my left foot," said Moshoeshoe.
 
It only took a few moments in overtime for Moshoeshoe to find the back of the net again and secure the first victory of the season for the Norse. Fleak cleared the ball away to Eastham who passed it to Moshoeshoe in the box. After some fancy footwork, Moshoeshoe broke through the defense and set up a shot from around the penalty spot that deflected off the keeper's gloves, over his head and in the goal.
 
"I don't really know what else to say," added Moshoeshoe. "I was just trying to do what it takes to get the ball in there and help out the team any way I could."
 
Basalyga's side improved to 1-1-1 on the year after the win over Eastern Illinois. The coach seemed pleased with the result and looks for his team to carry the momentum into next weekend.
 
"If you get within one goal, all you have to do is just get one to tie it and send it to overtime," said Basalyga. "It makes no difference when that goal comes. Late in the game, the pressure is put more on the defense."
 
Moshoeshoe and Caleb Eastham were named to the all-tournament team for the weekend. Eastham scored the only Norse goal in the 5-1 defeat to Dayton and Moshoeshoe scored both goals in NKU's 2-1 win over Eastern Illinois.
 
The Norse will be in action next weekend in Charleston, Ill., as they take on Western Michigan on Friday and Loyola-Chicago on Sunday in the 50 Years of Soccer Celebration Tournament hosted by Eastern Illinois.
 
For updates on NKU men's soccer, follow @NKUNorseMSOC on Twitter and follow @NKUNorse on Twitter for updates and news concerning all NKU athletic teams.