By: Jill Wunrow (@JillWunrow)
GreenBayPhoenix.com
CORVALLIS, Ore. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - The
Green Bay (2-6-1, 0-1 HL) men's soccer team showed great resiliency, scoring
two second half goals in 16 seconds to force its battle against Gonzaga (4-3-0)
into double overtime in the Oregon State Tournament Sunday. Unfortunately the
Phoenix suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 loss as Gonzaga scored in the final second
to capture the double overtime victory at Lorenz Field in Corvallis, Ore.
With
time winding down in the second overtime, Gonzaga's Nikolai Littleton had the
ball near the right of midfield where he found Andrew Orenson on the left side
on a cross kick. Orenson took the shot from 20 yards out with one second on the
clock to beat the Phoenix in a tough fought battle.
After
a scoreless first half, Gonzaga scored in the 61st minute off a free kick from
the left side to take the 1-0 lead. The Bulldogs boosted their lead to 2-0 in
the 77th minute off a header from the right side of the goal.
Late
in the 81st minute, Green Bay senior Whitney Browne (Brooklyn Park, Minn.)
found Sam Krenzien (Wauwatosa, Wis.) in the left side of the box. Krenzien beat
his defender for his second goal of the season, cutting Gonzaga's lead in half.
Just
16 seconds later, junior Ahmad Bah (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) beat Gonzaga keeper
Chris Lowrimore from inside the box on the right side for the equalizing goal.
Green
Bay fired two shots in the final three-and-a-half minutes to try and seal the
win while Gonzaga had three looks at the goal to end play in regulation.
In
the first overtime period, (96:55), Green Bay goalie Ryan Wehking (St. Louis,
Mo.) made an unbelievable diving save to his left on a shot from Gonzaga's
Clark Phillips from 10 yards out. Gonzaga had one more shot attempt in the
first overtime period but Green Bay's defense forced double overtime.
Both
teams had two shots each in the second overtime period. Krenzien's shot in the
104th minute was blocked while Kirby Allen's (Appleton, Wis.) shot in the 109th
minute was wide.
Krenzien
led all players with five shots in the contest while Browne added four. For the
second consecutive game, Wehking played tough in the net, grabbing six saves
for the Phoenix.
Green
Bay will return to the confines of Aldo Santaga Stadium for a Horizon League
battle against Wright State (2-6-1, 0-0-1 HL) Saturday, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. All
alumni in attendance will also be recognized during halftime of the game.
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