NASVHILLE, TN - It was familiar territory on Thursday night for the Panthers, playing in their second straight overtime game. Unfortunately, the result of their conference opener was the same as their season opener, as Trevecca Nazarene scored a goal just one minute into the second overtime period to hand the Panthers their second straight loss.
With the loss the Panthers fall to 0-2 (0-1 G-MAC), while Trevecca moves to 2-1 (1-0 G-MAC).
The Panthers dominated the opening half, not allowing a Trojan shot until 25 minutes into the game. In the 22nd minute, freshman
Calum Newson would sneak in a goal to put the Panthers on top 1-0. Although the Panthers kept putting pressure on the Trevecca goalie, no one else could put one in the back of the net for the rest of the half. The Trojans managed to tie the game up with just one minute left in the half to go into the break 1-1.
Trevecca started out the second half hot, scoring just five minutes in. Goalie Matt Meyer kept the Panthers within striking distance with an incredible save just five minutes after the previous goal. Knowing they had nothing to lose, the Panthers kept pressing higher throughout the second half, and it paid off. In the 85th minute freshman
Xavier Angel managed to put the ball in the back of the net off a pass from
Brendan Wright. The Panthers nearly won it at the end of regulation, but Trevecca goalie Adan Gonzalez saved a Newson header to send the teams into overtime.
The first overtime period was a defensive battle as both teams struggled to get a shot up. The Trojans managed the only shot of the period, which was saved by Meyer.
Trevecca's Ben Singer finished the second overtime nearly as quickly as it started, scoring a golden goal in the opening minute to give the Trojans the 3-2 victory.
The Panthers were out shot 14-10, but held the edge in shots-on-goal (7-6).
Jaxson Allard led the Panthers in shots (3) while Newson took two on goal.
Meyer tallied three saves in the loss.
KWC won't have much time to rest as they head home for a battle with the Findlay Oilers on Saturday. Game time is set for 1 p.m. CT at Panther Field.
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