Box Score PENSACOLA, Fla. | The University of Alabama in Huntsville men's soccer team solidified its position as a top team in the South Region on Sunday, picking up a thrilling 3-2 victory over third-ranked Rollins on Sunday afternoon in Pensacola, Florida. The Chargers move to 3-1 on the season with the win, while Rollins slips to 2-2.
With just over a minute remaining in overtime, reigning Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year
Ryo Suzuki found the back of the net to provide UAH with the victory over the nation's third-ranked team.
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"Our boys worked hard today, each of them," said head coach
Matt Watts following the win. "They really deserved the result, and we're all really excited."
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UAH is now 3-0 against the Sunshine State Conference this season.
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The Chargers would have to bounce back from a pair of deficits on the afternoon, the first coming after Rollins scored under a minute into the second half when David Kukkahn made it 1-0 in favor of the Tars. That score would stand for just over 11 minutes until Suzuki set up
Florent Girardin who put it in his for his first career goal.
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It remained 1-1 until the 73rd minute when Rollins would go back in front as Sebastian Walker's header was successful, but UAH would answer right back in the ever-important five-minute window following the goal as
Ian Dempsey recorded his first point with the Blue and White, assisting on
Anthony Benitez's equalizer in the 79th minute.
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"We came from a goal down each time, and that showed great character and mental strength," Watts said. "Our character is brilliant."
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Both teams would have an opportunity in the final minutes of regulation, but
Michael Winstone recorded one of his five saves in the 87th and Hermann Bjornson's header was stopped by the Rollins keeper in the 89th to send the game to overtime.
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Rollins would have the first opportunity in the extra time, but Winstone was up to the challenge, allowing UAH to have the chance to win it in the 99th minute.
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Senior
Mitch Wilson played the ball to Suzuki who then drove the defense and took a shot from just beyond the 18, and the attempt rolled through the defense's legs and past the keeper to the bottom right corner, sparking a raucous celebration on the pitch that will host the semifinals and championship game of the Gulf South Conference Championships in November.
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UAH was outshot in the game by a 17-11 margin, but the shots on goal were even with both sides having five. The Tars also held a 12-1 advantage in corners. For the contest, 16 fouls were whistled, and there were four bookings.
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"I want the team to take confidence from this game, but I don't want them to be overly confident as we go to the next two games," Watts added. "We have to make sure we don't get ahead of ourselves and that we take these next two games seriously."
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UAH will play at home for the first time season when the Chargers host Tennessee Temple at 7 p.m. for Friday Night Football at Charger Park.