LATROBE, Pa. (Oct. 7) – Bruno Hurtado scored twice in the final five minutes of regulation, including the game-winner with just 1:41 remaining, as the Saint Vincent College men's soccer team rallied for a thrilling 3-2 victory over Waynesburg University in Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) action on Wednesday evening at UPMC Field.
Trailing 2-1 late in the second half, the Bearcats received a pair of goals from Hurtado, both assisted by Daniel Maddock, to complete the comeback and earn their second consecutive conference victory.
With the win, Saint Vincent improved to 6-3-1 overall and 2-2-1 in PAC play, while Waynesburg fell to 5-5-2 overall and 3-3-1 in conference action.
Waynesburg opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Zachary Johnson converted a penalty kick, giving the Yellow Jackets an early 1-0 advantage.
The Bearcats responded in the 38th minute, as Cameron Mulvanny found the back of the net for his fifth goal of the season, evening the score at 1-1 heading into halftime.
Saint Vincent controlled much of the offensive action in the opening half, outshooting Waynesburg by a 10-5 margin, including six shots on goal.
The Yellow Jackets regained the lead in the 59th minute when John Engel scored off an assist from Sarpong Kwabiah, putting Waynesburg back in front, 2-1.
Despite facing a one-goal deficit, the Bearcats continued to apply offensive pressure throughout the second half, looking for the equalizer.
Their persistence finally paid off in the 86th minute, when Hurtado scored off a feed from Maddock with 4:42 remaining in regulation, tying the contest at 2-2.
Just over three minutes later, the duo connected once again, as Maddock assisted on Hurtado's second goal of the evening with 1:41 left on the clock, giving Saint Vincent its first lead of the game at 3-2.
The Bearcats held on over the final moments to secure the dramatic comeback victory.
Saint Vincent held a commanding 21-11 advantage in total shots, including an 8-6 edge in shots on goal. The Bearcats also held a narrow 5-4 advantage in corner kicks.
Hurtado led the Saint Vincent offensive attack with six shots, including three on goal, while scoring twice. Maddock and Mulvanny each recorded four shots, with Maddock tallying two assists and Mulvanny adding his fifth goal of the season.
In goal, Andrew Schneider played all 90 minutes for the Bearcats, recording four saves to earn the victory. Waynesburg goalkeeper Zach Reed finished with five saves in the loss.
The victory marked Saint Vincent's second consecutive PAC win after the Bearcats defeated Bethany, 4-0, on Saturday, Oct. 3.
Saint Vincent returns to action on Saturday, October 10 with a road PAC matchup at Geneva. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. in Beaver Falls on Saturday night.
