BISMARCK, N.D. – Thanks to a goal in the second period of extra time, the Dakota Wesleyan University men's soccer team prevailed for a hard-fought victory over NCAA Division II opponent University of Mary, 2-1 in extra time Sunday in Bismarck, N.D.
The Tiger (4-4) offense struggled in the early going of the match as DWU did not have a shot through the first 40 minutes. But, Cesar Tabares (Phoenix, Ariz.) scored with two minutes left in the half to give the Tigers a 1-0 advantage going into halftime.
The Marauders (2-5-1) answered back late in the second half on a penalty kick to even the match at 1-1. After 90 minutes, the score remained 1-1 and DWU had its' first game of the season go into extra time.
In the first extra frame, the Marauders put the offensive pressure on the Tigers as the University of Mary got seven shots off in the first extra frame. The Tiger defense and goalie Gaston Miteff (Buenos Aires, Argentina) held strong to extend the game into the second extra time period.
In the second extra time, DWU provided the pressure and in the 104th minute, Tabares chipped the ball over the goalie into the back of the net with an assist from Tyler Anderson (Monticello, Minn.) to give the Tigers a hard-fought, 2-1 victory in Bismarck.
DWU finished with five shots in the match as all five shots were on goal. The offense was led by Tabares and Julian Mole (Buenos Aires, Argentina) as each finished with two shots, while Pedro Lopez (Lewisville, Texas) added one shot for the Tigers. The Marauders fired 26 shots at Miteff as 12 of those shots were on goal. Miteff tallied 11 saves in the win.
The Tigers return home to take on the University of Jamestown at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Pepsi-Cola Complex in Mitchell.