Hanover, IN - Today, the Hanover College Panthers (3-2-2) took on the Wabash College Little Giants (3-3-0) in another non-conference match-up.
HC let in an early goal in the fifteenth minute, and trailed for the remainder of the first-half despite leading the Little Giants in shots 7-4, and outpacing their opponent in corner-kicks 4-0.
After the intermission, Hanover came alive behind senior goalkeeper
Rodrigo Gutierrez Olvera Gonzalez and his five second half saves (six total on the day). The rock-solid defeensive effort combined with the Panthers' "never say die" attitude is what ultimately lead to HC's extraoridnary comeback.
In the eighty-sixth minute of action, still trailing 1-0, Hanover found an opportunity down in their offensive-third when senior defender
McLain Barber and sophomore forward
Andrew Pavlisko connected the dots to a bicycle kick by junior midfielder Miles McMillan to tie up the game one-all.
The Panthers now erupting with renewed energy and momentum kept pressing thru the final minutes. Their hustle paid off when senior forward
Patricio Campos drew a foul just outside the sixteen-yard box in the eighty-eighth minute; Hanover lined up inside the box to prepare as Campos lined up the ball, but Campos had no plans on serving up an assist. The senior forward struck the ball flush to beat the keeper over the wall and to the bottom left corner.
Hanover went on to complete the comeback, winning 2-1 at home. The Panthers move to 4-2-2 on the year, 1-1-1 at home. Their next match is on the road in Wilmington, OH, at Wilmington College, Sunday September 21st at 2:00PM EST.
Statistical Standouts from tonights game for the Panthers include:
Sr, GK |Â
Rodrigo Gutierrez Olvera Gonzalez - 90 Mins | 6 Sv | 9 SF
Sr, D |
McLain Barber - 75 Mins | 1 Ast | 1 SOG
Jr, MF | Miles McMillan - 62 Mins | 1 G
Sr, FW |
Patricio Campos - 55 Mins | 1 GWG