Box Score CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Belmont University men's soccer team improved to 5-6-2 after defeating Eastern Illinois 2-1 in an overtime decision Tuesday afternoon.
The victory marks the second consecutive road win for the Bruins after defeating IUPUI just 48 hours ago.
Belmont was the offensive aggressor early, finding a couple great scoring chances, but were not able to capitalize.
Both squads recorded five shots in the first half, but were not able to find the back of the net. The teams would head into the locker room tied 0-0 at the half.
The Bruins struck first in the 51st minute. Junior Sam Borgel (Marietta, Ga.) would create an opportunity for BU when he pressured the Eastern Illinois keeper and forced a turnover. The keeper then fouled Borgel, awarding the Bruins' with a penalty kick.
Freshman Itzik Efraim (Even Sapir, Jarusalem) took the penalty kick and scored his first collegiate goal to give the Bruins a 1-0 advantage.
The Panthers did not back down and kept their foot on the gas. EIU put together a nice offensive attack and tie the game in the 66th minute.
Belmont created many offensive chances the remainder of the second period, but struggled to find the go-ahead goal in the second half.
The game was tied at the end of regulation, so the squads would head into a golden-goal overtime period.
Six minutes into the overtime period, the Bruins launched a successful offensive attack when a good combination on the flank freed up junior Matt Vuylsteke (Hamilton, Ont., Canada) to make a pass to the feet of freshman Nick Kramer (Lancaster, Pa.). Kramer, who was at the penalty spot, showed great poise and buried the shot for his first collegiate goal that would prove to be the difference on Tuesday.
Belmont will look to build on a two-game win streak on Saturday as they return home to E.S. Rose Park to take on conference foe Oakland. Kickoff is slated for 2:00 p.m. CT.
