UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University men's soccer team finally returned home to play in front of a Cardinal crowd after seven straight games on the road. SVSU battled St. Cloud State University into double overtime Friday at Braddock Field.
After falling behind 1-0 at the half, the Cardinals evened the score shortly after the break, and the game remained tied through the first overtime period. SVSU earned a corner kick early in the second extra frame and Chidie Nnolim found the back of the net for the game-winner.
The 2-1 victory lifts SVSU to 8-4-2 overall and 5-3-2 in the tightly contested Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The game was the third consecutive for SVSU to go to double overtime and is the fourth in the last five contests.
The Huskies got the scoring started early with a goal from Nolan Pratumwan in the 10th minute and held the advantage until early in the second half. Robbie Baker evened the game for the Cardinals when he drilled a loose ball from outside the box into the back of the net on an assist from Brady Walker.
The teams exchanged chances throughout the rest of regulation and the first overtime period. SVSU quickly advanced the ball in the second overtime and earned a corner kick. Alex Gloshen played the corner to the far post where Benjamin Adamson headed it back to the middle of the six-yard box where Nnolim found the game-winner, his third of the season.
The Cardinals outshot the Huskies 17-7. Reigning GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week Mason Maziasz made three saves in the win for SVSU.
The Cardinals remain home for the final four games of the regular season, starting against Upper Iowa University at 12 pm Sunday at Braddock Field.
