Exciting victory for men’s soccer in double overtime

LIZ CAPORALE ’16
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Bantams edged out a win against the Polar Bears of Bowdoin with a final score of 2-1 after not one, but two overtime periods. From the start, it was sure to be a wild game, considering Trinity and Bowdoin’s long-time NESCAC rivalry, and Saturday’s match was one for the books. Drawing an incredible number of fans, the Bantams and Polar Bears battled it out in Hartford for an astounding 109 minutes and 22 seconds, until the game-winner was netted by Trinity forward Cody Savonen ’17.
Scoring began at the 54 minute mark with co-captain Tobias Gimand ’17 setting up midfielder Sam Millbury ’18  for a beautiful bar-down goal.  The score remained 1-0 in favor of the Bantams until with less than one minute left in regulation, a controversial no-call involving what looked like a blatant hand ball allowed Bowdoin to capitalize on the corner that was called. Nabil Odulate headed in a beautiful pass from teammate Ethan Ellsworth. The goal occurred with just 13 seconds left in regulation.
Fighting words were exchanged on the field among players, which filled the final seconds of regulation. The first overtime period ended in a stalemate, and the two teams headed into the second overtime period for a last chance to pull ahead. If neither team scored, the game would have officially been declared a draw. In the last minute of the period, Gimand took advantage of a Bowdoin turnover, stealing the ball and executing a nice through pass to Savonen, who handled the ball with apparent ease, beating two Bowdoin defenders and putting it past Polar Bear goalkeeper Stevie Van Siclen. The victory literally came down to the last minute.
Amazingly enough, this was not the Bantams’ first rodeo regarding overtime play this year. The Trinity Men’s Soccer team has gone into double overtime an astounding five times this season, only losing one of those extended matches.
Well into their season, this win comes at a key time for the Bantams. This victory gives them a 5-4-2 overall record and a NESCAC record of 2-4-1, extending their winning streak to three games. Bowdoin drops down to 4-3-2 on the season. They travel to Western Connecticut on Tuesday October 13th to take on the Colonials who are 4-6-1 on the season.