KEENE, N.H. – After taking an early 1-0 series lead and then falling behind 2-1, looking like the Owls might suffer their first loss in program history, Keene State locked down Mid-American Christian University and scored four unanswered goals spanning the final two minutes of game four and across game five to pick up the 3-2 series win over the Evangels.
Records
- Keene State: 2-0
- MACU: 0-2
How it Happened
Keene State scored first in the opening game, as
Eric Carlo scored just a minute into the game. A pair of goals from MACU looked like they would take the first game as time was winding down, but Carlo found
Alex Nimiroski for the equalizing goal with just 11 seconds in the first game. After the Evangels had a chance to win in regulation but were unable to, the Owls capitalized right away in overtime, this time with Nimiroski assisting Carlo for the game-winning goal just 11 seconds into the sudden death period, giving the Owls the game one win.
Three goals from MACU early in the second game were too much for the Owls' comeback attempt in game two.
Keegan Wilder scored a pair of goals in the game, with the second coming with just 11 seconds left, but the Owls were unable to score in the final seconds, as MACU evened the match score out at one apiece.
After MACU scored early in game three, Carlo tied the game up, 1-1, with a few minutes remaining. Normal made three saves in net for the Owls in the contest but was unable to save what ended up being the game-winning shot from MACU with less than a minute left, giving the Evangels the 2-1 game win and bringing the match score to 2-1 for MACU.
On the verge of their first series defeat in program history, Keene State overcame a 1-0 goal deficit, with Nimiroski responding to MACU's goal with a goal of his own, coming from Carlo, just 28 seconds later, evening the match at one apiece with two minutes left. With just 47 seconds left, Wilder took the pass off the wall from Carlo and buried a shot into the net to give KSC a 2-1 lead. Nimiroski added an insurance goal with 16 seconds left to give KSC the 3-1 game to force game five in the series.
In the final game of the best of five series, the game went scoreless until with 49 seconds left, Carlo scored what would be the game-winning goal, giving KSC the 3-2 series victory. KSC had six saves in the deciding match, the most out of either team in a single game across all five played, with Nimiroski winning MVP for the game with four saves and Wilder getting a pair of saves himself.
Between the Sticks
- Carlo and Nimiroski led the attack, each scoring four goals across the five games, closely followed behind from three goals being scored by Wilder.
- Nimiroski also added four assists, to Carlo's three in the win.
- All of the Owls made big saves in net, that were crucial for the series victory, with Nimiroski leading the trio with 10 saves, followed by five from Carlo and three from Wilder.
Up Next
Keene State's next contest for Rocket League will come on Monday, February 26, at 7:00 PM against Kettering University.
The next Esports contest for the Owls will come in less than 24 hours, as the Overwatch 2 team will take on Nichols College on Tuesday, February, 13, at 8:15 PM.
