Warriors drop heartbreaker to Prairie Wolves in overtime

By Aaron Schneider

FOREST CITY – Jordan Cahill delivered the golden goal on a rebound with 2 minutes, 11 seconds  remaining in overtime to lift Nebraska Wesleyan University to a 3-2 win over the Waldorf University men’s soccer team on Sunday.

Brady Blazek scored two goals to lead NCAA Division III’s Prairie Wolves (1-0-1) to a 2-0 lead at halftime.

Jean Bonnin and junior Robert Serrano each contributed goals for the Warriors (2-2).

Bonnin, Serrano, sophomore Yan Arruda Caires registered two shots on goal apiece. Senior Cristian Alvarez, juniors Eric Flores, Jose Rincon, sophomore Cameron Saul, freshmen Koen Bleumink, Kenolson Collin and Edduin Rodriguez each turned in shots on target.

Waldorf sophomore Humberto Figueroa saved four of the seven shots he faced while logging 97 minutes, 49 seconds in net.

Nebraska Wesleyan goalkeeper Jack Nespor played in net for the duration of the match and tallied 11 saves on 13 shots.

The Warriors held a 23-20 shot advantage over the Prairie Wolves, but momentum shifted throughout the contest. Waldorf controlled the second half, outshooting Nebraska Wesleyan by a 16-5 margin. The Prairie Wolves recorded each of the five shots taken during the overtime period.

Blazek put Nebraska Wesleyan on the scoreboard 13 minutes into the contest after capitalizing on a rebound. The Prairie Wolves built a two-goal cushion when Blazek notched his second goal of the day during the 20th minute. Jake Kennedy assisted on the score with a left-side cross pass.

After increasing the intensity during the second half, the Warriors mounted a comeback. Bonnin connected for a goal during the 71st minute to cut Waldorf’s deficit to one goal. It was the fourth goal of the week for the junior midfielder from Verneuil-sur-Seine, France, who leads the Warriors in points (9) and goals (4) this season.

During the 76th minute, Serrano drilled the equalizer on a rebound.

Nebraska Wesleyan prevailed in overtime. A hard shot by Jacob Fraley was saved by Figueroa, but Cahill knocked through the golden goal on the rebound to seal the victory for the Prairie Wolves.

The Warriors travel to Sioux City next weekend for a pair of road games. Waldorf faces Morningside College (3-0-1) on Saturday in a 6:30 p.m. match up. The Warriors round out the weekend on Sunday as they take on Briar Cliff University (4-0) at 3:15 p.m.