GAFFNEY, S.C. – Opening the 2018 season in thrilling fashion, the nationally 14^th-ranked Limestone College men's soccer team scored the equalizer on a penalty kick late in the second half before burying the game-winner in the final minute of the second overtime period to knock of Lenior-Rhyne University, 3-2, on Thursday, August 30, at Saints Field.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Score: No. 14 Limestone 3, Lenoir-Rhyne 2
Records: No. 14 Limestone (1-0), Lenoir-Rhyne (0-1)
Location: Saints Field
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
 

• Senior Kristian Moore-Cowell (Essex, England) scored his third career goal
• Graduate student Raphael Bartmann (Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany) chipped in an assist
• Junior Ruairi Croskery (Castlewellan, Northern Ireland) added his first goal of the season
• Graduate student Dan Javed (Manchester, England) buried the game-winner
• Sophomore Jamie Smith (Sutton Coldfield, England) tallied the game-winning assist
• Senior keeper Mirko Ronchi (Cornaredo, Italy) picked up the win
• Limestone edged the Bears 13-8 in shots while L-R held a 5-4 advantage in corners

 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
First Half
 
Following a save by Ronchi, the Saints had a great look at the go-ahead score in the 16^th minute. Javed made a nice move to beat his defender on the left wing before putting the ball on frame, but the Lenoir-Rhyne keeper made the save to keep things scoreless in the early going.
 
The Bears broke up the deadlock in the 35^th minute, however, jumping out to a 1-0 lead after Cameron Saul cleaned up a rebounded shot with a solid strike into the upper right-hand corner. Limestone added a pair of shots in the closing minutes of the half, but the visitors took the one-goal margin into the break.
 
Second Half
 
Limestone answered early in the second half as Moore-Cowell finished with a low line-drive inside the near post in the 51^st minute. Bartmann set up the equalizer by beating his defender and then sending a short through ball to the right side of the box, evening the score up at 1-all with his first career assist.
 
In an interesting sequence, it appeared the Lenoir-Rhyne would retake the lead as Ignacio de Goya converted a penalty kick. The officials would call off the score, however, after he hesitated twice on the approach – he then drew his second yellow card during a protest to force L-R to play a man down.
 
The Bears would regain the advantage, 2-1, after Florian Simon bounced the second attempt off the bottom of the crossbar, but Limestone countered less than a minute later after a hand ball was called on the visitors inside the box. Croskery buried the resulting PK to once again draw the Blue and Gold even.
 
Overtime
 
Limestone was unable to generate any good looks over the first 19 minutes of overtime, registering just one shot attempt during that span. However, with less than a minute remaining, Smith served a long ball over the defense where Javed collected the pass and placed the game-winner right down the middle.
 
TURNING POINT
 
Although the Saints would go down on the scoreboard during the weird sequence in the 78^th minute, the tide would turn for the home team as Lenoir-Rhyne drew a red card. Limestone immediately made the Bears pay with the equalizer just 57 seconds later before walking-off with 55 seconds left in overtime.
 
NOTABLES
 

• Limestone avenged its double overtime loss to the Bears in Hickory last season
• The Saints have won six straight season openers dating back to the 2013 season
• Head Coach Eric Alsop posted his 174^th career win just two days after his birthday
• Limestone had two graduate students break into the scoring column with a goal and an assist
• The Saints improve to 6-4-1 all-time against Lenoir-Rhyne

 
UP NEXT
 
Limestone is back in action on Sunday, September 2, when they host Queens University of Charlotte at 7 p.m. at Saints Field.