The Aurora University Spartan men's soccer team dropped a heartbreaking double overtime contest to the No. 23 ranked Thunder of Wheaton College Friday evening on a wet Vago Field, 2-1.
The two teams fought valliantly in the contest, with the Thunder striking the final blow with :48 to play in the second overtime, off the right foot of freshman midfielder Jason Lollar.
Lollar found a loose ball about 20 yards out and his blast found the back of the net, beating Spartan goalkeeper Kevin Soderstrom to the top left corner for the game winner.
Spartan goalkeeper Kevin Soderstrom
Soderstrom played a stellar game in net for the Spartans, stopping five Thunder shots and keeping the Spartans in the hard fought contest.
AU got in the scoreboard first in the 34th minute, when sophomore midfielder Christian Foote tallied an unassisted goal, his second of the season.
The Thunder struck back immediately in the 36th minute. Sophomore forward Drew Golz headed home a beautiful pass from freshman defender Connor Rice.
The game would remain knotted at one goal apiece until the 109th minute when Lollar would knock in the game winner.
Wheaton freshman goalkeeper Ryan Seager earned the win, he played the first half and both overtime periods and collected four saves. Senior goalkeeper Micah Lamb played the second half with no saves to his credit.
With the loss, AU falls to 4-3-1 on the year, while Wheaton improves to 7-2.
The Spartans men's soccer team is in action next on
Tuesday,
September 29, 2009 when they travel to Concordia University Chicago. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m. in River Forest, Ill.