Springfield, Mass. 9/5/12 – Sophomore Nick Godzyk's (Wilmington, Mass.) controversial goal 2:54 into the second overtime period lifted the Keene State College men's soccer team to a 2-1 non-conference victory over Springfield College at the Irv Schmid Sports Complex on Wednesday.

Sophomore Yazid Eideh sent the ball across to Godzyk who bang in home for the game winner.  The ball hit the tire at the bottom of the cage and came bouncing out.  The officials got together and ruled it a goal.  "The ball hit the wheel on the side of the net and came flying out," said KSC Coach Ron Butcher.  "It was good win for us. This is a tough place to play."

"At first the lineman thought it hit the post," said Godzyk about his first career goal. "But it can't hit the post and go out like that. We didn't start out strong, but it was good to finish."

The Owls improve to 2-1 on the season, while Springfield is still in search of its first win as it falls to 0-3 after its third-straight one-goal loss.

Springfield benefited from an early whistle as it was awarded a penalty kick just 2:09 into the contest after Michael Fowler was dragged down in the box. Alex Reilly stepped up for the Pride and slotted home Springfield's first marker of the season, giving the hosts an early 1-0 cushion.

The Pride nearly added to its lead with 13:43 to go in the half on a great strike by Zach Dutter. After Kevin Nowak broke his man down to get free down the right flank, his service found Dutter alone 10 yards out. The sophomore's bid seemed destined for the top left corner, only to have KSC junior goalie Malcolm Cheney(Hopkinton, Mass.)  make a terrific sprawling save.

Keene State evened the game after a misplay by the Springfield defense. Junior Scott Douglas (East Greenwich, R.I.)  intercepted the initial play back to the keeper and raced towards the goal from 35 yards out. The junior calmly tucked the ball past a charging Brett Bascom to even the game in the 52nd minute.

Douglas nearly put the visitors up just under two minutes later when he rung a shot off the cross bar from 15 yards out.

After the game remained scoreless in regulation, Springfield totaled six shots in the first overtime period, including several prime scoring chances. None were better than Dutter's back-to-back point blank shots inside the six yard box. However, Cheney proved once again up for the task with sensational saves to keep his team in the game.

Keene State won the game in the 103rd minute on a shot by Godzyk. After a loose ball found the foot of Godzyk, he let loose a shot from 10 yards out that ricocheted off the left post, bounced up and hit the cross bar before crossing the goal line. The referees met at length to decide if it was a goal, and after first disallowing it, confirmed that it was a goal and ended the game.

For the match, Springfield held a 24-10 edge in shots and a 9-3 cushion in corner kicks. Bascome made three saves for the Pride, while Cheney posted eight stops.

Keene State will play again on Saturday afternoon when it hosts Wheaton College at 1:00 pm.