CHARLOTTE, N.C. - After the Anderson University men's soccer team drew the score even twice, the Trojans were unable to hold off Queens University of Charlotte in an overtime thriller, 3-2, Wednesday evening at a rainy Dickson Field.
Felipe Netto's golden goal with 51 seconds remaining in the first overtime period gave the Royals their sixth victory on the season and keeps them unbeaten in South Atlantic Conference play, moving to 3-0. With the setback, Anderson moves to 4-2-1 on the season and 1-2 in conference play.
After a scoreless opening half, Queens found the scoreboard first when the Royals were awarded a penalty kick in the 48th minute. QU forward Felipe Netto beat Bo Haug to his left for fourth goal of the season.
Anderson struck back quickly in the 59th minute when Henrique Gazzi sent in a free kick from the corner. Senior Lars Zimmerman found the pass at his feet and flicked in his first goal of the season. The long awaited goal is Zimmerman's eighth of his career after scoring seven goals last season.
The back-and-forth action continued when Queens took its second lead of the match in the 62nd minute. Thiago Andrade fired in a free kick right outside the top-left corner of the AU box, which beat the outreached Haug. For Andrade, the goal was his fifth goal of the season.
Facing their second deficit of the match, the Trojans found their equalizer in the 74th minute when Brad Du Plooy sent in a pass into a mixer within the QU box. Gazzi was able to get touch and sent a flick to freshman Aaron Roberson who evened the score. For Roberson, the goal was his third of the young career.
Netto's goal clinched the victory as he slid a shot from just inside the Anderson box, beating Haug to the right. Netto becomes the second player is as many games to record two goals for an individual against the Trojans.
Despite the 3-2 score, the match was even throughout as QU outshot the Trojans 16-15, while Gazzi, redshirt freshman Alex Delpy and redshirt sophomore Andre Carle paced Anderson with three shots apiece. Haug made three saves, but suffered his second straight overtime loss in goal.
"I'm very disappointed in the team. We had some great goals, but did not have a total team effort," head coach John Murphy said. "We need to make the most of these challeneges and grow as a team, not as individuals. We're looking forward to a big game this weekend."
Anderson continues its SAC road trip on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Mars Hill. Kickoff against the Lions is set for 2:30 p.m.
