GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Freshman Isai Hernandez scored 19 seconds into double overtime as Tusculum College remained unbeaten with a 1-0 victory over Queens University of Charlotte in the Pioneers' South Atlantic Conference men's soccer opener Wednesday night at Pioneer Field.
Hernandez Interview | Alvarez Interview | Coach Vital Interview
Hernandez scored his first collegiate goal after taking a through pass from Andre De Giorgi and slipping a shot past Queens keeper Sergio Lemus. With their second overtime win of the season, the Pioneers (4-0-0, 1-0-0 SAC) continued their best start since opening the 2008 season with five consecutive victories en route to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.
Queens (3-2-0, 0-1-0 SAC) had scored 11 goals in their first four matches as a team, but were held to eight shots on goal in being shut out for the first time this season. Overall, the Royals outshot the Pioneers 18-16, but had just one shot attempt in the overtime period.
Tusculum goalkeeper Jorge Alvarez was solid for the Pioneers as he finished with eight saves to earn his first shutout of the season and 11th of his career. Lemus finished with six stops in goal for the Royals.
Tusculum outshot Queens 9-7 during a scoreless first half that saw few scoring opportunities. The best chance for the Royals came in the 29th minute when Ryan Ejezie had a one-on-one chance against Alvarez, but shot wide. Tusculum's best effort was on a header by De Giorgi in the 32nd minute off a corner kick that went over the top of the Queens goal.
Queens had a chance to take the lead in the 52nd minute, as Corey Brown collected a loose ball and fired at the Tusculum goal. However, Alvarez was able to make the save and smother the rebound to keep the game scoreless. The Pioneers had a strong opportunity in the 66th minute, but a header by Hernandez off a cross was directed wide of the frame. Hernandez had another chance two minutes later, but Lemus made the stop from close range.
With just under five minutes remaining, Alvarez came up big again for the Pioneers as he made saves on Celes Vilar and Ejezie in rapid succession to keep the match knotted at 0-0. In the final 30 seconds, the Pioneers almost found the winning goal as the ball found its way to De Giorgi in the box, but his attempt was cleared off the line by the Royals defense and the teams went to overtime. Queens outshot Tusculum 10-6 in the second half and 17-15 during regulation.
Overall, Queens had an 8-7 edge in corner kicks over Tusculum, and was called for 15 fouls to 12 by the Pioneers. Each team received three yellow cards and were flagged once apiece for offsides.
Tusculum will host Lenoir-Rhyne in a South Atlantic Conference match on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Pioneer Field.
