Bullets Clip Garnet in OT
GETTYSBURG, Pa. - Gettysburg sophomore forward Chris Bayon brought a physical Centennial men's soccer contest to an abrupt close, scoring the game-winner with 32 seconds left in the first overtime to send the Bullets to a 2-1 victory over visiting Swarthmore on Saturday night.
A key Centennial match-up early in the season - Gettysburg was ranked pre-season number one by the coaches while Swarthmore was picked third - saw 46 fouls and six cards between the two squads.
Garnet sophomore midfielder Yoi Tibbets broke up a scoreless affair in the early stages of the second half, tallying his second score of the season at 54:11. Swarthmore junior midfielder J.P. Faunes crossed the ball which was headed on by sophomore defender Jeff Kushner to Tibbets, who connected on his own header for the goal.
Swarthmore got a break late in the game when the Bullets were forced to play a man-down after one of the Gettysburg players was sent of with a second yellow card in the 87th minute. The momentum was short-lived as the Bullets counter-attack produced the tying goal (scored by junior midfielder Jesse Gemberling-Johnson) at 87:33.
The game went into extra time with the Garnet getting off two of the first three shots, including a big save by Bullets' keeper Adam Finkel on a shot by Swarthmore midfielder Pat Christmas '08.
The decisive score started on the backline with Finkel sending the ball out to a Bullets' back. From there Gettysburg worked up the sideline eventually making a strong run into the Swarthmore end. Junior midfielder sent a strong pass into the center of the field and Bayon put home the game-winner from the left corner.
Finkel tallied four stops in goal while Swarthmore counterpart Ryan Sutcliffe recorded two saves in defeat.
Swarthmore travels to Washington (Md.) on Tuesday, Sept. 26 for a 7:00 p.m. Centennial Conference game.