HICKORY, N.C. – The Limestone College men's soccer team battled through 103 scoreless minutes with nationally eighth-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne University, but the Blue and Gold would come up just short as the Bears tallied the golden goal in the 104^th minute to collect a 1-0 double overtime win on Saturday, September 9 at Irwin Belk Stadium.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Lenoir-Rhyne 1, Limestone 0
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (3-0), Limestone (1-1-1)
Location: Irwin Belk Stadium
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
 

• Limestone finished with a 12-9 advantage in shots attempted
• The Saints also posted a 7-6 margin in corner kicks
• Sophomore midfielder Dimitri Ney (Biviers, France) registered three shots
• Freshman midfielder Luca Thuyl (Xanten, Germany) also recorded a trio of shot attempts
• Senior keeper Thomas Osborne (Summerville, S.C.) hauled in a pair of saves

 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
First Half
 
Limestone controlled the pace of play over the first 45 minutes of play, finishing with a 5-3 advantage in shot attempts. The Saints had a pair of shots blocked while the team's best look, a header by sophomore Nacho Reigada (Oviedo, Spain), sailed over the crossbar as things remained tied at the break.
 
Second Half
 
The Saints also recorded a 5-3 margin in shots attempted in the second half with Ney placing a pair on frame. Defensively, Lenoir-Rhyne was limited to just one shot over the final 30 minutes of regulation.
 
Overtime
 
Following a scoreless first overtime period, the Bears struck for the golden goal at the 103:02 mark as Kevin Nadeau planted the game-winner into the right side of the netting.
 
TURNING POINT
 
Despite holding a 10-8 edge in shots attempted over 100 minutes of action, Limestone came up on the wrong end of the result after L-R recorded the golden goal in the 104^th minute.  
 
NOTABLES
 

• Limestone has played in back-to-back double overtime games
• The Saints dropped a game against Lenoir-Rhyne for the first time since 2010

 
COACH ALSOP'S THOUGHTS
 
"Obviously, that was a disappointing result for us. We played extremely well tonight, executed our game plan, and controlled the tempo of the game, but we were unable to finish our chances. Unfortunately, the longer you let a good team like Lenoir-Rhyne hang around, the more likely they are to steal it from you. While this was a heartbreaker, I'm confident it will just make us a tougher team down the road".
 
UP NEXT
Limestone opens its Conference Carolinas schedule on Wednesday, September 13 when it hosts North Greenville University. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. at Saints Field.