Men’s Soccer Edged in Double Overtime at Western New England, 2-1

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene men's soccer team absorbed a 2-1 double-overtime loss at Western New England to open league play Saturday.

The loss drops the Lions to 3-2-0 on the season and 0-1-0 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference. The Golden Bears elevate to 5-2-0 overall and 1-0-0 in the league with the win.

Neither team was able to net a goal in the opening 45 minutes of action. Eastern Nazarene and Western New England both attempted eight shots in the first half while the hosts held a 7-0 advantage in corner kicks.

The Golden Bears captured a 1-0 edge in the 74th minute as Scott Trautwein buried his second goal of the season. Chad Burke and Kory Caster each picked up an assist on the opening tally.

Eastern Nazarene scored the equalizer with just three seconds left to play in regulation. Rookie Andrew Nelson (Burtonsville, Md.) notched his team-leading fifth marker of the season to level the match at 1-1.

The Lions finished regulation with 16 shots while Western New England recorded 21 shots through 90 minutes.

The two teams remained knotted at 1-1 after the first extra period. The Golden Bears sported a 2-1 edge in shots in the opening overtime session.

Western New England netted the game-winning goal just 1:43 into the second overtime stanza. Jordan Martins tallied his first score of the season in the 102nd minute to reward the Golden Bears with a 2-1 victory. Kory Caster and Alan Haberem assisted on the golden goal.

Eastern Nazarene concluded the contest with 17 shots while the Golden Bears fired 24 shots and ended the game with a 13-0 margin in corner kicks earned.

Jake Johnson (Mount Bethel, Pa.) made seven saves in goal for the visitors. Kevin Strobel stopped five shots between the pipes for the home team.

Looking ahead, Eastern Nazarene will host Becker September 16 in a non-conference tilt at Veterans Memorial Stadium.