(Story courtesy of the Colorado College Sports Information Department)
ATLANTA, Ga. -- It has been 785 days since Will Bavier scored his first goal as a Tiger. His second career goal couldn't have come at a bigger moment for the Colorado College men's soccer team. The junior from Cambridge, MA helped elevate the Tigers over the Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels 3-2 on Saturday night in Atlanta with the game-winning goal with minutes to play.
CC was down 2-0 in the 55th minute but would go on to score three unanswered goals, including the game-winner by Bavier in the 84th minute.
"I'm thrilled for the guys," head coach Scott Palguta said. "I felt a little hard done. I thought we were playing quite well through long stretches of the game. The way the guys stormed back showed a lot of character and a lot of resolve and I'm so proud of them for that."
This is the first NCAA Tournament win for the Tigers since 2012 when they defeated Babson College, 3-1, in Babson Park, MA.
CC had some great looks in the first half that fell short of a score. They got the first four shots off including two from Alexander Ward and Jack Hilliard. Both aimed at the bottom center of the net but Oglethorpe keeper Nicolas Mejia made the saves.
In the 42nd minute, Charlie Wagner launched a shot towards the top of the net but the ball just collided with the woodwork and bounced out. Seconds later in the 43rd minute, Oglethorpe's Aaron Ibe scored off an assist from Ben Alram to put the Stormy Petrels up 1-0.
The Tigers outshot the Petrels 11-8 in the first half with five shots being on target for both teams. Oglethorpe had the advance in corner kicks 8-2 at the halfway mark.
In the second half, Oglethorpe extended their lead in the 55th minute when Nicolas Sciarra scored from a couple of passes from Dylan Bapst and Alram.
However, moments later, the Tigers were able to draw a penalty inside the Petrels box. Ward was able to get CC on the board in the 60th minute after successfully converting on the PK, his fifth goal of the season.
The pressure would continue to be applied to the Petrals' defense as the Tigers got into prime scoring position again in the 67 minute. Ward booted a corner kick to the head of Curtis Hale who found the body of Oliver Ramirez who punched it into the lower right corner of the net.
Both teams would keep exchanging possession for the next 15 minutes or so, with overtime threatening; the Tigers broke through in the 84th minute after stellar touches from Webster and Hilliard that found Will Bavier one one-on-one with the keeper. Bavier poked it over Mejia's head into the back of the net, only to be thwarted by his teammates in celebration.
It was Bavier's second career goal and first of the season. His first-ever career goal came on Sept. 17, 2021, against Austin College.
The Tigers outshot the Petrels 22-19, led by Ward who had a game-high five shots (four on target), a goal and an assist. Hilliard finished with three shots and an assist. Hale and Webster collected the other two assists.
Goalkeeper Jasper Broad dished out 11 saves and a shutout in the second half.
CC will play host Emory University on Sunday after the Eagles won their first-round matchup against Brevard College 3-0. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET.
"We're gonna have to turn this thing around really quickly," Palguta said immediately after the game. "The recovery for tomorrow starts right now and we'll take a look at the film and get the guys prepared. We know we're up against a very challenging and steady team tomorrow, but our guys got a little something. We'll give it a go again."
