It’s moments like what happened Wednesday that can define a game, a team and a season.
The Baker University men’s soccer team pulled out a 3-2 win in double-overtime against Benedictine College Wednesday at Liston Stadium.
Junior Donny George got the scoring started with a goal in the 17th minute of the match, and the 1-0 score held going into halftime. Benedictine came back with two goals in the 61st and the 69th minutes of the game, but Baker was able to tie it up on a goal in the 85th minute from sophomore Ben Coyle.
Then came the drama.
The ’Cats and Ravens remained scoreless for the first 10-minute overtime, but finally, in the 105th minute of the match, sophomore Cameron Zimmerman found the back of the net to end the game.
Zimmerman didn’t really remember a lot after the goal.
“I kind of blacked out,” Zimmerman said. “I don’t remember much after that happened, except for getting mauled and then getting picked up and put on people’s shoulders.”
Going into the extra time, head coach Nate Houser knew his team had what it took to complete the victory.
“I said (to the team) good teams show a lot of character and give themselves chances to be successful,” Houser said. “We’ve done that. I said, ‘let’s use some of the tools we’ve been sharpening all season and see if we can get ourselves a win here.’”
The team was already motivated for playoff soccer, but getting the win over Benedictine made it that much more gratifying.
“The way we won (Wednesday) is the best way we could have won against Benedictine,” George said. “Of course we want to try and win all the time … winning against Benedictine in overtime is so much sweeter.”
It was even sweeter for George, who has battled injury for the last couple of weeks, and needed some extra help to play.
“Thanks to (assistant athletic trainer) Lynsey Payne,” George said. “If it wasn’t for her and the work she’s done, I wouldn’t be out there.”
To put the cherry on top of the cake, Baker found out after the game it would be able to play at home for the HAAC championship, as MidAmerica Nazarene University pulled a 1-0 upset over Missouri Valley College.
“The Baker fans … they’re such good people,” George said. “We love coming out with the singing and the support.”
Baker is currently ranked second in the nation behind Lindsey Wilson College. Baker and Lindsey Wilson are the only undefeated teams in the NAIA.
Baker will take on MidAmerica Nazarene for the HAAC Tournament Championship at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
