KISSEMMEE, Florida–Our Eagles Soccer team stunned #1 seeded Randall University with an overtime header by Nick Standridge to secure a 3-2 victory in the first found of pool play at the 2019 NCCAA DII Men's Soccer National Tournament.

Jake McClelland scored the first goal for the Eagles while Riley Buchalski gave them the lead early in the 2nd half. Nick Standridge played the role of hero with an overtime header. Paul Stewart took a team-high three shots in the contest. Goalkeeper Adam Lund recorded two saves in 91 minutes in goal.

Randall University jumped out to an early lead off a free-kick goal by forward Manual Belmonte in the 27th minute, but the Eagles were ready for a fight. Moments before halftime, a foul in the box by Randall University gave the Eagles the breakthrough moment they had been searching for. Jake McClelland stepped up and buried the ensuing penalty kick to tie the game at one with just 3 minutes remaining in the first half. The two teams headed to the half knotted up at one goal apiece.

"Randall forced us to play aggressive soccer today," Head Coach Joseph Liwosz said afterwards. "Their style of play made playing a possession style of soccer difficult. We had to fight to win the 50/50 balls all game!"

Just 15 minutes into the 2nd half, the Eagles struck for their second goal of the game. A through ball on the right side of the field from senior midfielder Paul Stewart to Riley Buchalski found the back of the net and gave the Eagles their first lead of the game. But, Randall University, the #1 ranked team in the NCCAA, was not done yet. Renan Lara scored with just 8 minutes remaining in regulation to tie the game up at two.

With the game remaining tied at the end of regulation, the two teams went to a sudden-death overtime period. Just over a minute into the overtime period, a through ball to Jake McClelland led to a long run up the near sideline. When McClelland looked up, he spotted a charging Nick Standridge and sent the ball into the box. After a deflection, Standridge buried the header to secure a 3-2 Eagles victory over Randall University.

"We have an experienced group of guys who have played in multiple tight overtime games throughout their careers." Head Coach Joseph Liwosz continued, "Jake and Nick are such a dynamic duo. Their chemistry was on full display on the game winner."

The win gives the Eagles an early advantage in Pool A. The team will face #5 seed Maranatha Baptist University Thursday at 2:00 p.m. CT with a berth in the 2019 NCCAA DII Men's Soccer National Championship on the line. Stayed tuned for updates and head over to the NCCAA National Tournament Central for more information regarding the DII Men's Soccer National Tournament.