CLEVELAND, Ga.— The Montreat men's soccer team saw a lead slip from its grasp late in regulation on Saturday, only to fight back and grab a 2-1 double overtime win at Truett McConnell University in the squad's first Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) match this season.
 
The first half proved to be a stalemate between the two sides. With total shots and shots on target nearly even, the biggest difference came on a couple of Montreat scoring chances.
 
In the 18^th minute, the Cavs threatened to break the 0-0 deadlock when Marco Oyarzo struck the post. Oyarzo would hit the woodwork again in the 42^nd minute during a sequence of sustained Cavalier pressure; however, the ball still would not find its way into the net, keeping the match scoreless at the half.
 
Montreat continued to build into the match in the second half as the run of play seemingly tilted its way. The attacking pressure continued to build until it burst with the match's first goal in the 71^st minute. After forcing a turnover in the attacking third, the Cavs found some space on the left side of the field. Isaac Wilkening's pass set up Carlos Hernandez in the box, who capitalized on the space and was clinical with his finish.
 
Trying to see the match out would be a challenge for the Cavaliers. Truett McConnell started throwing numbers forward hoping to find the equalizer. In the 89^th minute, the opportunity appeared. Off a loose header in the box, Caleb Rolon struck a volley with his left foot. The shot found its way through traffic and past the diving Jesus Ramos into the net, ensuring overtime.
 
The first ten minutes of overtime were largely uneventful. Ramos made two saves on Truett McConnell's two shots during the extra frame. Montreat managed to register one shot, but it was blocked by the Bears' back line.
 
In the second overtime period, the Cavs found their game-winner. Hernandez, who already had one goal in the match, had some space near the right edge of the penalty box after receiving Oliver Nuno-Rodriguez's feed from midfield. With two defenders in front of him in the 104^th minute, Hernandez rolled the ball onto his left foot. Acting swiftly, he took the strike and went upper 90 for the breath-taking finish.
 
"I was very happy to see a complete turnaround from our last game," said Montreat head men's soccer coach Michael Bruce. "Everyone on the team fought as brothers today, and that was reflected in the positive performance."
 
The double-overtime winner improved the Cavs' record to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the AAC. Truett McConnell dropped to 1-1-2 overall and 0-1-0 in AAC competition.
 
Next on the docket for Montreat men's soccer is a return to Pulliam Stadium on Wednesday to battle St. Andrews University.