From RSU Sports
Tim Hanson, Sports Information Director
CLAREMORE – For the second straight game, sophomore striker Jake Simpson scored a game-winning golden goal in overtime as the Rogers State men’s soccer team won, 3-2, over Dallas Baptist on Saturday at Soldier Field. The Hillcats tied the score at 2-2 to force overtime with two goals in the final nine minutes of regulation.
Trailing by 2-0 late, the Hillcats started their rally with eight minutes remaining. Freshman Chris Sowder headed in a throw in from Matt Price to put the Hillcats on the scoreboard, 2-1, in the 82nd minute. The goal was Sowder’s third of the season, all on headers.
Sophomore Kevin Kwarteng knotted the score at 2-2 in the 89th minute. Kwarteng knocked in a bouncing ball in front from about 8 yards after a pass from Juma Byabusha, who got the assist. The goal gave RSU the momentum heading into the overtime period.
The Hillcats didn’t take long to finish off the Patriots, scoring 30 seconds into the overtime period. Simpson fired a strike from 30 yards to the far post that beat the DBU goalkeeper for the 3-2 golden goal as the Hillcats rushed the field for the second straight game. Simpson scored the game-winning golden goal in a 2-1 win over No. 3 St. Edward’s on Thursday.
DBU scored its two goals on the first two shots of the game. In the sixth minute, DBU’s Riley Alvery scored for the 1-0 edge. The lead doubled to 2-0 in the eighth minute on a goal from Brooks Friedman.
The navy and red dominated for the rest of the contest, totaling 27 shots to seven from the Patriots. In the second half, the Hillcats held a huge 16-2 advantage in shots.
Simpson and Kwarteng each totaled six shots with three on goal. Jordan Watson added five shots.
RSU had its opportunities before breaking through. Simpson looked to score on a header, but he was called offside. Simpson took a penalty kick in the 78th minute with DBU’s goalkeeper somehow making a save to keep it 2-0.
DBU’s goalkeeper Sean Bouland kept the Patriots in the game as he totaled nine saves, including a few big saves on RSU chances.
Cody Gammill picked up the win in goal, registering three saves. He moved to 6-2-2 on the season in goal.
The Hillcats (6-2-2, 3-2-1) go on the road for three straight games. The stretch starts at West Texas A&M on Thursday (Oct. 6) at 7 p.m. in Canyon, Texas. Live stats and video will be available for the league contest.