NEWBERRY, S.C. --- Henrique Devens volleyed home a free kick with 47 seconds left in the first overtime period to give Tusculum University a 2-1 victory over Newberry College in South Atlantic Conference men's soccer action Saturday afternoon at the Smith Road Complex.
Tusculum was awarded a free kick with 53 seconds left in the first overtime following a yellow card issued to Newberry. Fabian Proesch delivered a perfect free kick into the box, and Devens volleyed the pass by Newberry keeper James Aldridge as the Pioneers (2-3-1, 1-0-1 SAC) extended their unbeaten streak against the Wolves (4-3-0, 1-2-0 SAC) to 22 consecutive matches (19 wins, three draws).
Devens has scored a goal in each of the Pioneers' last four matches, becoming the first Tusculum player to score in four consecutive contests since Bruno Conceicao had a goal in five straight games during the 2008 season. Clement Dagorn also scored for the Pioneers, who had a 16-8 advantage in shots over the Wolves in the victory.
The first shot on goal of the match came from Luke Murphy in the 12th minute, which was saved by Aldridge. The second shot on goal gave the Pioneers a 1-0 lead at 19:22 as Dagorn controlled a pass into the box, maneuvered around two defenders and went past Aldridge to the far post for his first career goal.
Tusculum keeper Sam Gilbert came up with his first save of the match in the 24th minute as he lunged to the top corner to stop a blast from the Wolves' Ibrahim Nadir. Newberry would tie the score exactly six minutes after Dagorn's goal, when Sam Ottley was taken down in the box and Eric Brody stepped up to score on the penalty, leveling the match at 1-1.
Neither team had outstanding scoring chances for most of the second half, but Newberry came closest with 13 minutes remaining as a shot from Vojin Manojlovic was punched over the crossbar by Gilbert from close range. That would be the final shot on goal of regulation as the Pioneers headed to overtime for the third time in their last four matches.
Each team had a shot attempt that was nowhere near target early in the overtime period, as it turned out that Devens' goal would be the only one on frame in the extra period. Tusculum finished the match with a 6-4 advantage in shots on goal over the Wolves.
Gilbert made three saves to earn the win for the Pioneers, with Aldridge finishing with four stops in a losing effort for Newberry. Both teams were aggressive throughout the afternoon, with 19 fouls called to each side. Tusculum was also shown five yellow cards while the Wolves were booked three times. Newberry had a 6-4 advantage in corner kicks over Tusculum.
The Pioneers will visit Queens for a SAC match on Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m.