Posted by: Shawn SweeneyPhiladelphia, Pa. - La Salle junior Jeff Spiker drove home the game-winning goal with just three seconds left in the first overtime period, giving the Explorers (1-1) a 3-2 win over Pitt on the final day of play at the Drexel Invitational Soccer Tournament. The goal avenged a double-overtime loss to Hartford on the first day of the tournament.
The Panthers (0-2) got off to a strong start as Dwayne Grant-Higgins netted two first-half goals for Pitt. Grant-Higgins put Pitt on top in the 19th minute when he dove to connect with a serve from Thomas DeCato. The senior lit up the scoreboard again in the 34th minute when La Salle turned the ball over and he took it in for a score on the near side of the net.
La Salle charged back in the second half on a goal by Andrew Perez in the 56th minute. Perez followed a strong shot off the foot of Jeremy Ortiz to put the Explorers on the board. In the 73rd minute La Salle evened the score on a Joe Heavey header that beat Pitt goalie Andy Jorgensen.
The game appeared destined for a second overtime frame, but with the clock ticking down towards all zeros, Jim Davis served a ball toward the net that was deflected by Perez and found the foot of Spiker, who drilled it into the back of the net to give La Salle a thrilling victory.
Jorgensen stopped 12 shots for the Panthers while Andrew Bernhard made two saves for the Explorers.
Score By Period
La Salle 0 2 1 - 3
Pitt 2 0 0 - 2
Shots La Salle 22, Pitt 18
Scoring Summary
Pitt Grant-Higgins (DeCato)
Pitt Grant-Higgins
La Salle Perez (Ortiz)
La Salle Heavey (Spiker)
La Salle Spiker (Perez, Davis)
