WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The William and Mary men's soccer team fell to the UNCW on Saturday night in a double overtime nail biter at Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field. The Seahawk's Mateo Cardona's golden goal in the in 102nd minute lifted UNCW to the victory in the conference opener for both teams. With the decision, the Tribe falls to 3-6-0, 0-1-0 in Colonial Athletic Association play, while UNCW improves to 7-1-1, 1-0-0 in league action.
W&M had a pair of chances in the 15th minute of the match. Off of a UNCW turnover, junior Jackson Eskay and senior Chris Albiston nearly completed a give-and-go, but Albiston's shot was blocked. The rebound landed on foot of Jackson Eskay and his shot sailed just wide.
UNCW did threaten the Tribe with three shots that came on target in the first half. In the 16th minute, Colin Bonner directed a shot on frame, but senior Bennett Jones was there for the save. Three minutes later, Bonner tried his luck again with the same result, a Jones save. The final chance for the Seahawks came in the 36th minute, Daniel Escobar fired a shot towards the cage and again Jones was up to the task.
The Tribe's final two chances of the stanza came moments apart. Sophomore Reilly Maw charged towards the box and launched a shot on frame that was turned away by UNCW goalkeeper Sean Melvin. Seconds later, the ball found the foot of redshirt sophomore Jeff Bombelles but his shot was blocked by a Seahawk defender.
At the beginning of the second half, following a UNCW foul, the Tribe was awarded a free kick just outside of the Seahawk penalty area. Senior Josh West lined the kick up perfectly, but Melvin made a leaping save, pushing the ball out of play. On the ensuing corner kick, UNCW was able to clear the ball to safety.
UNCW was able to control the ball in their third of the field for chunks of the second half, but never put a shot on target, firing six total. The Tribe was able to make a pair of counter attacks that nearly resulted in goals. In the 68th minute, West led the charge up the pitch and sent a cross to Albiston, who pushed his shot just left of the goal. Off of a UNCW corner kick, again West stole the ball and drove down towards the Seahawk goal. However, his cross was pushed just past the foot of a streaking attacker.
After 90 minutes neither team was able to find a goal, and the match went to overtime. It was the second consecutive match that the Tribe played to extra time.
The Seahawks opened the first overtime period with three corner kicks, but the Tribe defense sniffed them all out. The Green and Gold limited the Seahawks without a shot the entire frame.
W&M's best chance of the overtime periods came in the 100th minute off of a corner kick. Albiston played the ball in and it landed at the foot of freshman William Eskay. The freshman launched a shot, but Melvin again came up with a save.
Moments into the second overtime period the Seahawks found the game-winner. David Sizemore sent a cross that was nearly intercepted by a Tribe defender, but landed on the foot of Cardona. Cardona placed his shot in the lower right corner of the net. His first tally of the season lifted the Seahawks to a 1-0 victory.
The College steps back out of conference play as it travels to Charlotte on Tuesday, September 30. Kickoff between he Tribe and 49ers is set for 7 p.m.
