Kevin Nichols Scores Game-Winning Goal in Overtime

BROCKPORT, NY (10/03/2012)(readMedia)-- Kevin Nichols (Stroudsburg, PA/Stroudsburg) knocked home the game-winning goal eight minutes into the first overtime period as The College at Brockport Men's Soccer team defeated Daemen College 2-1 Tuesday night. Brockport scored a goal with seven minutes remaining in regulation to send the game into overtime.

The Wildcats scored a goal 20 minutes into the game and held the Golden Eagles scoreless until the 83rd minute. Brockport (5-6) got the equalizer from Paul Altobelli (Rochester, NY/Gates-Chili) on an assist from Nick Tata (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) to tie the game at one. Nichols then provided the heroics with his first goal of the year 7:47 into the extra session. Freshman Casey Sullivan (East Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse-Minoa) picked up the win, his fourth of the season.

The Golden Eagles have now won four of their last five games after starting off the season 1-5.

Three days after putting up a season-high five goals against New Paltz, Brockport came out firing against the Wildcats. The Golden Eagles put up 12 shots along with five corner kicks in the first half. Brockport remained scoreless heading into the second half, but continued to create opportunities, putting up 14 shots and earning six corner kicks in the second half. The Golden Eagles finished with a season-high 28 shots on the night.

The final shot of regulation for Brockport came from Altobelli. Tata sent a cross into the box to find Altobelli's head and tie the game. Daemen had three shots in the final six minutes but the Golden Eagle defense prevailed.

The defensive battle continued for the first few minutes of overtime. Michael Bernard (Rochester, NY/Greece Odyssey) took the first shot in overtime but was blocked by the Daemen defense. The ball remained in the Brockport offensive zone until Nichols fired a shot through a crowded box to bury the game-winner. The goal was the second of the junior's career.

Max Drexler (Rochester, NY/Greece Olympia) got the start in net for Brockport and played the entire first half, making four saves. Drexler made a crucial save on a penalty shot late in the first half to keep the deficit to one. Sullivan entered the game to start the second half and kept the Wildcats scoreless to earn the victory. Sullivan finished the game with four saves of his own.

After earning the nonconference win, Brockport will return to State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) action against Geneseo at 1:00 pm Saturday at A. Huntley Parker Jr. Field.