GREENEVILLE, Tenn. - The Newberry College men's soccer team was defeated by NSCAA/adidas No. 1 ranked Tusculum College today in a 2-1 OT thriller. A Pioneer goal in the first overtime proved costly for the Indians, who fall to 1-2-0 overall and 1-1-0 in the South Atlantic Conference. With the victory, Tusculum records their second overtime win of the year and improves to 4-0-0 overall and 1-0-0 in the SAC.

The story of the match was missed opportunities, as the Pioneers out shot the Indians 27-4 but could only convert twice.  Newberry was held to just two shots in the first half, inlcuding a saved shot attempt by defender Tyler Haladay (Irmo, S.C.) in the 39th minute.  Tusculum forward Dave Bailey (Bristol, England) started off the scoring with a Pioneer goal in the 26th minute.  The assist came from defender Jay Harris (London, England) who fed an awaiting Bailey on the right wing.  The Indians didn't take long to answer as freshman Jeff Bell (Johnston, S.C.) put home Newberry's goal in the 31st minute from about five yards out.  Forward Jeffrey Taylor (Sumter, S.C.) was credited with the assist.  The score remained deadlocked at one heading into the half.
 
Neither team was able to establish any momentum for a good portion of the second half, primarily due to physical play and a number of called fouls.  Both squads blasted shots that came ever-so-close to finding the back of the net, but Tusculum goalkeeper J.P. Swaminathan (Brampton, Ontario, Canada) and Newberry keeper Bryan Linn (Safety Harbor, Fla.) made spectacular diving saves to preserve the 1-1 score and send the match into overtime.
 
In the 98th minute, Linn charged toward the top of the box to thwart an attacking Tusculum offense.  Despite his efforts, Linn fell down and the ball squirted past him and into the path of an attacking Bailey who drove in the match-winner for the Pioneers.
 
Linn concluded the match with seven saves, while Swaminathan recorded two.
 
The Indians are scheduled to face Lander University in a men's and women's doubleheader on September 14 at the Newberry Soccer Complex.  Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.  Tusculum will hit the road for its first away match, also on September 14, where they will take on Presbyterian College at 7 p.m.