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Henrique's golden goal sends Men's Soccer into NAIA Quarterfinals

Box Score

IRVINE, Calif. -- Bruno Henrique scored a golden goal in the 99th minute to lift Lindsey Wilson men's soccer to a 3-2 win over UC-Merced in the NAIA National Tournament Second Round tonight at Orange County Great Park.

The fifth-seeded Blue Raiders (15-3-1) advance to face Missouri Valley in the national quarterfinals on Wednesday. Missouri Valley (15-6) upset fourth-seeded Mobile (Ala.) 3-1 earlier today.

Henrique's goal came off a beautiful buildup through the heart of the Bobcat defense just before the end of the first overtime.

David Ibrahimkadic played a ball wide to Oscar Dueso who sent a one-touch pass to Rainer De Jesus five yards outside the top of the penalty box. In Lindsey Wilson's version of hot potato, De Jesus immediately touched the ball to Akean Shackleford who slotted a pass through to Henrique who passed the ball past UC-Merced goalkeeper Marco Sobreilla for the game-winner.

The goal is Henrique's 10th goal of the season and his third game-winner.

The overtime win is the first for the Blue Raiders this season in extra time. Lindsey Wilson was 0-1-1 prior to tonight's win in overtime games.

The golden goal saved the Blue Raiders from a heart-breaking result. Lindsey Wilson led the game 2-0 a little less than midway through the second half. The Blue Raiders also had numerous chances to increase their lead in a dominant start to the second half only to be turned away each time.

Shackleford made the most of the Blue Raiders' first shot on goal in the 43rd minute.

During a late first-half buildup, De Jesus blasted a shot from just outside the penalty area that was blocked before reaching its destination. Shackleford secured the rebound and touched the ball onto his right boot and sent a missile past Sobreilla for his 21st goal of the season and the 1-0 lead.

The Blue Raiders led after the first 45 minutes thanks to some spectacular play between the pipes by Lindsey Wilson goalkeeper David Coffey. Twice, Coffey rejected Bobcat shots headed for the back of the net and a third time he collected a rebound off the post to keep the game scoreless before the Shackleford goal.

Coffey finished the match allowing two goals while collecting five saves.

Lindsey Wilson dominated the early stages of the second half but came up empty each time.

Through the first 10 minutes of the second half, the Blue Raiders hit the frame four different times.

Dueso finally broke the string of bad luck in the 58th minute. The Mid-South Conference Freshman of the Year outleapt everyone on De Jesus' corner kick and headed in his 14th goal of the season for the 2-0 advantage.

Just as the Blue Raiders felt they were in control of the match, UC-Merced's Andres Lua cut the deficit in half. A giveaway in the midfield set up a 30-yard strike for Lua's 12th goal of the season.

UC-Merced's Juan Flores got the equalizer in the 87th minute off a free kick from 20 yards out to ultimately send the game into overtime. The Bobcats entered extra time with a 5-0-2 record this season in overtime.

While the Bobcats managed a shot in the overtime period, it was the aggressive Blue Raiders -- who had six shots, including two on target in the extra frame -- that eventually prevailed.

Lindsey Wilson finished the match with a 25-18 shots advantage. Both teams ended with seven shots on goal.

Lindsey Wilson returns to action at 3:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday, Dec. 4, against Missouri Valley in the national quarterfinals at Orange County Great Park.

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