Colby’s Graham Pugh scored the game-winning goal 40 seconds into the second overtime to lift the Mules’ men’s soccer team to a 1-0 win at Bowdoin College on Wednesday afternoon.
Colby picked up a key NESCAC win and improved to 6-5-3 (2-5-2 NESCAC), while the Polar Bears fell to 6-3-4 (1-2-3 NESCAC).
Bowdoin dominated the majority of the game, owning almost all of the good scoring chances in regulation, but were unable to punch one in.
After a scoreless first half that saw the teams take three shots apiece, the Polar Bears controlled the second half, posting an 11-0 shot advantage, but again, were unable to push the ball across for a score.
The Polar Bears nearly scored with 11 minutes remaining in regulation, as Max McPherron controlled the ball in the box and chipped a shot that deflected off the crossbar to keep the game scoreless.
In the first overtime, Henry Cooper had Bowdoin’s best scoring chance, sending a shot just wide of the cage with four minutes left.
Just before the buzzer of the first overtime, Colby almost ended the game as a Polar Bear turnover resulted in a last-second shot by Aidan Wood that resulted in a diving stop by goaltender Michael Webber (three saves).
It didn’t take long in the second overtime for the Mules to earn the victory as a loose ball in the Bowdoin box came to the foot of Pugh. His initial touch soared just over the reach of Webber and grazed the crossbar, where it bounced loose in front. Pugh pounced on the rebound at 100:40 to give Colby the victory.
Not only was it Colby’s first win over Bowdoin in five years, but it was also the first goal for the Mules since that 1-0 victory in 2014.
Bowdoin ended the game with a 15-5 edge in shots and a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks.
Matt Morin finished with four saves in the shutout for Colby.
Bowdoin will return to action on Saturday when it hosts Williams at noon.
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