Despite forcing its first overtime of the season and doubling its point total for the year, the VMI men’s soccer team fell by a 3-2 double overtime score to East Tennessee State Friday night in Johnson City, Tennessee.
The Bucs’ Gabe Saavedra took a shot at the 102:47 mark that hit the post and deflected to Christian Ilia, who rushed for the rebound and snuck it past VMI keeper Alex Guerra for the game-winning goal.
VMI’s two goals during the match equaled its season total to bring the Keydets (0-10, 0-2 SoCon) to four goals on the year and put a cap on a four-game scoreless streak.
ETSU got on the board first with a goal at the 13:46 mark when Fletcher Ekern scored his third goal of the season. VMI’s David Wright then matched the score at one apiece by registering his first goal of the year at the 27:47 mark. Both teams traded shots the remainder of the period to go into the break tied at one.
Keydet freshman duo Grant Austin and Sohrab Shaikh teamed up at the 63:49 mark of the second half to put VMI up 2-1 as Austin earned his first goal on Shaikh’s first career assist. The 2-1 advantage was VMI’s second lead of the season as they previously earned an advantage in the Virginia Tech game on Sept. 15 at Patchin Field.
With only six minutes remaining in regulation, ETSU’s Mitchell Cecatiello knotted the game at two goals following an assist from Ilia, who would later earn the winning tally.
Wright led all Keydets with two shot attempts during the game while Austin and Todd Johnson logged one apiece. Guerra totaled seven saves on the night in 102 minutes played as he faced 32 Buccaneer shots throughout the match.
VMI returns to SoCon action on the road Tuesday with a matchup at league-leading Wofford. The game is slated for a 6 p.m. start time in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
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