COLUMBIA, S.C.— The Montreat men's soccer team held Columbia International University scoreless for over 96 minutes on the road Wednesday afternoon, but in the 97^th minute of play, the undefeated Rams found the overtime winner to defeat the Cavaliers, 1-0. With the loss, Montreat fell to 4-4 overall and 3-3 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC).
 
Columbia International (8-0, 4-0 AAC) held most of the possession in the first 30 minutes of the opening half; however, despite holding a 4-1 edge in shots on goal, the Rams couldn't find that final connection in the attacking third. Montreat's defense thwarted CIU's offense in and around the 18-yard box, and Jesus Ramos made three routine saves to keep the Rams off the scoreboard.
 
Carlos Hernandez had one of Montreat's best chances in the first half. Rodrigo Jimenez dribbled the ball up the left side of the field on a counterattack. With Hussein Ali and Hernandez as attacking options, Jimenez centered a pass to Hernandez just outside of the 18-yard box. Hernandez swiftly took a left-footed shot that failed to dip in time, sailing just over the crossbar.
 
The Rams nearly broke through with the match's first goal in the 53^rd minute. Lucas Galdino took a corner kick for CIU on the right side. His corner into the box found the head of Rafael Carneiro, who redirected the ball toward goal. Unfortunately for the Rams, Carneiro's header glanced off the top of the crossbar and out of play.
 
Montreat started to see more of the ball in the second half, and it resulted in additional shots on target. After just one shot on goal in the first 45 minutes, the Cavs managed to put eight attempts on frame in the second half. Despite the increased pressure, CIU goalkeeper Hazel Ley continued to stand tall between the posts, making seven saves through 90 minutes.
 
Galdino nearly put the Rams on top in the 78^th minute when he found a pocket of space near the top of Ramos' 18-yard box. From the right side, Galdino wound up and looped a curler toward goal. The shot would've beaten Ramos, but it hooked late and wrapped around the left upper 90 frame and sailed out of play.
 
It looked like the Cavaliers would break the scoreless deadlock on a counterattack in the 84^th minute. Hernandez chipped a ball to Jimenez, who blasted a shot toward net. Ley, who was off his line, made a sprawling stop and blocked Jimenez's strike to keep the match level and force overtime.
 
The first shot on goal in overtime proved to be the game-winner. Marlon Williams took a pass down the left side of the attacking flank and crossed a ball in toward the box. The Cavaliers failed to clear the pass from the dangerous area, and it fortuitously fell to the feet of Carneiro. On the half-volley, Carneiro blasted a shot with his left foot past Ramos for the 1-0 overtime game-winner.

"I could not have asked for more from our guys tonight," said head coach Michael Bruce. "They battled, played with good quality and worked extremely hard for each other. We were unfortunate to come out of this one with a loss. We look forward to bouncing back in another tough game on Saturday."
 
The Cavaliers out-shot CIU on the evening, 14-12, including 9-6 in shots on goal. Columbia International held a slight advantage on corner kicks, 4-3.
 
Montreat men's soccer will aim to bounce back at home this Saturday against (RV) Tennessee Wesleyan University. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 pm.