Own Goal Sinks Men's Soccer In Double Overtime Versus NYIT In 2012 ECC Semifinals

Bridgeport, Conn.-The NYIT Bears moved onto the 2012 East Coast Conference Men's Soccer Championship with a 2-1 double overtime win over the host University of Bridgeport Purple Knights on Friday afternoon.  The Bears are now 9-6-3 overall, and Bridgeport closes out its season with a 10-8-0 overall mark.

NYIT won the match on an own goal when a Bears' cross from the right flank was headed by one Bridgeport defender off a teammate and into the net with 4:49 elapsed in the second overtime period.

The Bears grabbed a 1-0 lead 14:35 into the match when junior Herve Valcourt fired home a long shot from outside the 18-yard box into the left corner of the Bridgeport goal.

The score would remain 1-0 into the second half when UB would tie things up when junior Christoffer Olesen (Kristiansand, Norway) scored his fourth goal of the year when he picked up an NYIT turnover and found the back of the net.

The contest would stay 1-1 until NYIT the second overtime period when the Bears prevailed on the own goal.

Bridgeport outshot NYIT, 10-7, on the day and held an 11-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Bridgeport freshman goalkeeper Augustin Prados (Madrid, Spain) made two saves for the Purple Knights, and NYIT's Liam Waddy was outstanding for the winners making six saves.

The Bears will now face LIU Post on Sunday for the 2012 ECC Men's Soccer title.