UNION, N.J. - Senior
Ian Sawicki headed home the game-winning goal with just 2:26 left in the second overtime, and the Drew University men's soccer team earned a thrilling 1-0 non-conference victory at Kean University Wednesday evening.
The Rangers, who evened their record at 4-4, were playing their first double-OT affair since a 3-2 victory at Muhlenberg College last season. The Cougars dropped to 5-4.
Prior to Sawicki's goal Drew was awarded a throw-in, and junior
Ryan LaRocca sent the ball into the right corner to freshman
Kyle Bethel, who returned a pass to LaRocca deep in the right wing. LaRocca one-timed at pass to the right post, where a charging Sawicki drilled it in for his second goal of the year and his second career game-winner.
Kean outshot the Rangers 19-17, but senior
Jason Adamo tied a career-high with eight saves - including one in each overtime - while earning his first shutout of the season.
The Blue and Green outshot the Cougars 8-5 in the opening half, when Adamo and Kean keeper Dillon Konzelman made three saves apiece.
The shot count was reversed in the second period, when each goalie turned aside three more shots. Adamo made a pair of tremendous stops down the stretch, first diving to his right on a close-range shot in the 71st minute, then leaping to knock down a blast in the 90th minute. The Cougars threatened with one final shot in regulation, but a hard roller missed just right.
In the first overtime, Kean took the only five shots, but just was on goal.
The Rangers found their offense in the second extra session. Drew had a two-shot sequence inside the box early in the second OT before junior
Tony Oliveira nearly scored the game-winner in the 106th minute, missing just high on a long-range rocket, setting up Sawicki's golden goal two minutes later.
Drew plays its Landmark Conference opener on Saturday, when it hosts Goucher College at 1 p.m.