READING, Pa. – A battle between the Albright Lions and Wilson Phoenix came to a 2-1 end in the first overtime period with sophomore
Yaniv Gonyoe netting the game-winning goal for the Lions. The victory marks the first home win of the 2019 season for Albright men's soccer and will improve their record to 2-4.
The first matchup in history between Albright and Wilson came last year, with 110 minutes of gameplay ending in a 2-2 draw in Chambersburg, Pa.
In today's contest, the first half saw eight shots from Wilson and three from Albright, with senior goalkeeper
Billy Mullen making four saves. An evenly-matched first half and a strong defense from both sides kept the game scoreless at half.
Just four minutes into the second half, Wilson freshman Brandom Rios capitalized on commotion in front of Albright's net, scoring to put the Phoenix up 1-0. At the other end of the field, sophomore
Billy Hanratty was fouled in Wilson's box and Albright received a penalty kick.
Billy Hanratty was able to convert and tied the game at one apiece in the 67
th minute.
The remainder of the second half featured two back-to-back wide shots from Albright senior
Connor Morgan and an on-frame shot from Wilson's freshman Christopher Sosa in the 89
th minute that Mullen shut down.
Mullen made two more key saves within the first two minutes of the overtime period by Wilson's Will Garrick. Following an Albright corner kick in the 96
th minute, junior
Wynton Britton ripped a shot that was punched away by Wilson senior goalkeeper Dan Perry. Senior
Eric Adamo got ahold of the rebound and found Gonyoe on the right side to knock the ball in for the golden goal.
Albright held a slight edge in shots, 16-13, but Wilson led in shots on goal with a 9-6 margin. Five Phoenix players took two shots and
Billy Hanratty paced the Lions with four. Mullen made eight saves and earned the win for the Lions, while Perry made four for the Phoenix in the 96 minutes of play.
Albright men's soccer will return to Shirk Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 17 to face Berkeley College of N.J. at 7 p.m.