Saturday, October 24, 2009

Colleges: Late goal sinks Lions hopes

Saint Leo’s Bruce Cutler scored twice to rally the Lions back from a two-goal deficit, but a goal in the 82nd minute by Craig Heenighan, his second of the game, gave Nova Southeastern a 3-2 victory on Saturday night.

The Sharks came out sharply, and their early pressure told in the 19th minute as Heenighan found Romain Onteniente in the penalty area for a goal from 10 yards out. The Lions were able to withstand the pressure for the rest of the first half, but Heenighan doubled the lead within a minute of the start of the second half, driving a shot home from 20 yards out on the right side.

The Lions got back on even terms before the game reached the hour mark, Jesper Otterstedt finding Cutler just outside the penalty area, and Cutler driving his shot into the net in the 52nd minute. Cutler then converted a 59th minute penalty kick to tie the game up.

With the momentum turned, the Lions continued to pressure the Sharks goal. Otterstedt, Cutler and Leonardo Nogueira all had efforts saved by NSU goalkeeper Lyle Howe, but it was the Sharks who found the game-winner, Heenighan scoring from 25 yards out on the Sharks first shot in 20 minutes.

The loss leaves the Lions eighth in the SSC standings, and with the prospect of closing out the season against No.9 Tampa at Pepin-Rood Stadium on Thursday night.

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