By: Joey Daniels (@GBJoeyD)
GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – The Green Bay men's soccer team began the season in dramatic fashion on Friday evening, defeating Grand Canyon 1-0 in double overtime at Santaga Stadium. The Phoenix start the season with a 1-0-0 record and Grand Canyon moves to 0-1-1.
Jeremy Nji (Kimberly, Wis.) wasted no time in the double overtime period, scoring the game-winner just 20 seconds into play in the 111th minute. Nji received the ball at his feet in the top of the box on a ball won in the air by Faycal Oulahbib (Chelles, France). Nji waited for the perfect bounce and buried it into the lower left corner of the net, sending his team and bench into a dogpile at Santaga Stadium.
“I'm so happy for our players and glad we got a result in the game. We will look to build on this for Monday's game against DePaul with momentum and confidence on our side,” coach Marc Baumbach said.
Junior James Pendrigh (Canterbury, New Zealand) sparked the goal when he played the ball in the air up to Oulahbib from the midfield, as Green Bay controlled possession for the entire 20 seconds of the double overtime frame.
Not lost in the dramatic win was the performance put forth by goalkeeper Dani Alvarado (Leander, Texas). Alvarado made clutch save after clutch save throughout the first 90 minutes and during the 10 minute first overtime, finishing with eight saves in the game.
“Grand Canyon made it very difficult for us, full credit to them in the game. I am really pleased with the work rate from our guys as we kept going in the game even when we had moments that were not our best,” Baumbach said.
The Phoenix will look to carry the momentum over to Monday's home match against DePaul. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. at Santaga Stadium.
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