RIO GRANDE, Ohio – For the first time in 33 games, the Lindsey Wilson College men's soccer team found itself on the losing side of the scoreboard.
Richard Isberner collected the ball off a ricochet inside the box and found himself all alone in position to score the game-winning goal in overtime. The score brought play to a close with the second-ranked RedStorm beating top-ranked Lindsey Wilson 3-2.
Rio Grande appeared on its way to a less dramatic win, leading the game 2-0 at halftime. At that point the only goals had come from Isberner in the 24th minute and Oliver Hewitt-Fisher in the 33rd off an assist from Isberner.
But the Blue Raiders (10-1, 6-1 MSC) weren't going to go away without a fight and the comeback attempt began in the 54th minute as Albert Edwards finished off a goal to cut the lead in half.
About 19 minutes later the Rio Grande (9-1, 5-0 MSC) lead disappeared as Lindsey Wilson went on a run that ended with Lwandiso Gonya taking the ball alone to the left side of the box where he sent in a goal from 15-yards out.
The Blue Raiders got a chance to steal the win with a pair of corner kicks in the final three minutes, but were never able to break through the RedStorm defense.
Each side had a look at a good shot at the start of the overtime period, but it was ultimately Isberner being in the right spot at the right time that pulled off the win.
The cross sent in from the far corner of the field touched Maximiliano Viera first just feet from Lindsey Wilson goalkeeper Yuta Nomura. The ball touched Viera's feet and rolled directly to Isberner who was able to collect himself and put the game away.
Rio Grande paced the game in shots 13-11, while Lindsey Wilson took the edge in shots on goal 6-4. Yazeed Davids led the Blue Raiders with three shots and Isberner led the match with five shots for the RedStorm.
Corner kicks went in favor of Lindsey Wilson 6-5, while each team committed 17 fouls.
Nomura closed the game with just one save and the three goals allowed and RedStorm keeper Jack Marchant collected four saves while allowing both goals.
Lindsey Wilson last lost a game on Nov. 20, 2010, falling to Southern Polytechnic State University 2-1 in the opening round of the NAIA National Championship. The wins also gives Rio Grande first place in the Mid-South Conference Standings as the only team with an unblemished record in league play.
Lindsey Wilson looks to bounce back at 4 p.m. CT on Oct. 6 at University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky.
