LEWISTON, Maine -- In a rivalry game with a postseason berth at stake, played in the rain and an increasingly muddy field, Colby defeated the Bates men's soccer team 2-1 on an own goal scored with 3:41 remaining in overtime.
The Mules (7-7-1, 4-5-1 NESCAC) claim seventh place in the final NESCAC standings with the victory, and will play in the conference quarterfinals this weekend.
Bates (6-9, 3-7 NESCAC) ended a frustrating season with its sixth consecutive loss.
Colby's Josh Rubin and Bates senior
Owen Keleher (Corrales, N.M.) scored within eight minutes of one another late in the second half to provide a roller-coaster atmosphere heading into overtime.
Colby broke the scoreless tie in the 79th minute, as Paul Hawkins served the ball into the front of the goal from the right side of the penalty area. Bates first-year goalkeeper
Bruce David (Pittsburgh, Pa.) came out of net to try to catch the ball, but Rubin met the ball at the same time. Neither player controlled the ball, but Rubin's momentum seemed to force the ball to roll forward and over the goal line as Rubin himself skidded over the line on his knees. It was his team-high ninth goal of the season.
Though temporarily stunned by the turn of events, the urgency of the moment quickly locked them back into focus and attack mode. The Bobcats attempted three shots in the ensuing five minutes before Keleher struck for the Bobcats.
In the 87th minute, Bates' first-year forward
Henry Kuentsler (London, England) served the ball into the penalty area and Colby defender Max Jacobs headed the ball out of the box but out toward Keleher, who was able to time his steps into his shot, a laser from 20 yards out inside the high left corner of the net that tied the game at 1-1 and sent it into overtime three minutes later.
The slippery ball appeared to play a role in the game-ending goal. After Colby's Ethan Franco served a corner kick in front of the Bates goal, David jumped out to catch the ball but it glanced off of his gloves, caromed off of his foot and skittered into the goal as Bates defenders tried in vain to stop the ball's progress.
Colby controlled most of the first half of the game, outshooting Bates 11-4, but the Bobcats turned the tables in the second half and outshot the Mules 9-3. Colby held a slight advantage in shots (15-14) and shots on goal (7-6) for the game, and a 10-4 edge in corner kicks.
Noah Jackson made five saves in goal for Colby.
David made four saves in net for Bates, and defender
Simon Clarke also kicked away a Colby shot for a team save.
