The game turned out took all of regulation and nine minutes of overtime play to decide the winner. With only a minute left in “golden goal” overtime, senior defensiveman Jon Viana and Shaka Bangura seized the day for Montreat. Jon Viana stole the ball in the back and found a streaking Shaka Bangura with a pass overtop of the opponents defense. Shaka took a brilliant touch on the ball to set up a shot, which would curl around the keeper and find its mark on the right side of the net. Howard Fisher (JR, Kingston, Jamaica) had a big game as well stopping all 15 Lindsay Wilson shot attempts, six of which were on goal. In doing so, Fisher recorded his 22nd career shutout in Montreat’s 1-0 victory. Bangura and Fisher also were selected as this week’s Appalachian Athletic Conference “Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week” respectively.
The game started out with most of the possession belonging to Montreat. Though the Montreat Cavaliers would possess well, they had a hard time cracking the defensive line of the Blue Raiders. The Blue Raiders were dominant in the air, denying any type of air game. Montreat would get their only shot on goal in regulation 20 minutes in when junior forward Shaka Bangura beat his man around the outside and put in a pass to junior Stephen Jackson who shot the ball, but the goalkeeper made the save with an easy catch.
Hasani McKenzie and Ebrima Jagne did well on the outside, shutting down most of the speedy offense of the Blue Raiders. But it was the smart play of senior defensivemen Jon Viana and Chad Britts that shut down the middle of the field, thwarting any attempt that came their way.
The Blue Raiders would have their chances getting five shots off in the first half, most off of corner kicks. Their dominance in the air even extended to the Cavaliers 18 yard box, but none of the corner kicks would be successful due to header after header going wide of its mark. The Blue Raiders best attempt of the first half came late when a shot was fired off 15 yards out, but junior goalkeeper Howard Fisher parried the ball out of harms way. The half would end at 0-0 with Lindsey Wilson outshooting Montreat 5-4.
The second half would not see an equally distributed game like the first half. The Blue Raiders came out strong and most of the second half would be played on the Cavaliers' side of the field. Montreat didn't allow any real threat to occur, but just couldn't break through the wall of a defense that was the Blue Raiders. The Cavaliers forwards were hounded by the defense for the rest of the half. The Blue Raiders broke up most of that which came their way. Montreat would get one good chance in the second half when Shaka Bangura would finally break through the defense for a two on one, with Adnan Bangura streaking in along side. But the Blue Raiders' centerback would intercept Shaka's pass, breaking up the play.
The Blue Raiders had many chances in the second half. Standout Moses Aduny had two shots in the half, both of which were volleys that he blasted at goal, one of which would ping the crossbar. Montreat would have a hard time clearing the ball, giving up 6 corner kicks in the half. The Blue Raiders would again have a great chance to score late in the half when the ball would be crossed in from the corner and landed at the back post. The Raiders would get three shots off during the commotion around the net but Howard Fisher would save all three attempts with sprawling saves.
Neither team would score during regulation, sending the game into OT. The Blue Raiders would get seven shots off in the second half for a total of 13, while Montreat would be held shotless.
The first OT period was much of a stale mate, with both teams battling hard for the ball. But it was with seven seconds left in the first overtime, when Viana found Bangura for the game winning goal.
Coach Brenton Benware, first year Montreat Men’s Head Coach, had some great things to say about the victory, "It's an amazing feeling to beat the #1 ranked team in the country. Lindsey Wilson clearly has a stellar program, but all of our Montreat players showed up ready to play and battle out a win yesterday. Our entire team had a wonderful day and seemed to play as one unit on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Junior goalkeeper Howard Fisher made some amazing saves and added his 22nd career shutout while at Montreat. We also maintained great possession of the ball and played our best game of the season. While Lindsey Wilson had more shots for the game, it was a very evenly played match that resulted in a 0-0 tie at the end of regulation. Shaka Bangura added the winning goal (his 6th of the season) with a Jonathan Viana assist and with only 57.6 seconds left in the first overtime. We're pumped about our victory, but we realize the season is still very young and that we have to continue preparing for each game."
With the win, Montreat improved to 4-1 overall and Lindsey Wilson would go to 4-1. The Cavaliers head to Asbury, KY on Wednesday, September 17th to take on Asbury College. They will return home Saturday, September 27th on a bout against the University of the Cumberlands.