Box Score
CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Delta State University men's soccer squad hit the pitch Tuesday afternoon in nonconference action against in-state rival Mississippi College. The Statesmen fell to the Choctaws 2-3 in a double overtime thriller. The Statesmen are now 0-8-1 on the season while Mississippi College sits at 6-3-1.
This was Delta State's second double overtime finish of the season with the first coming earlier in September that resulted in a 1-1 draw against conference foe West Alabama. The Statesmen have already faced the Mississippi College Choctaws in pre-season exhibition action earlier this year that ended with Delta State being shutout 2-0. This match showed the strides head coach Nick Glaser has made to improve his team this year.
The Choctaws scored first in the 11th minute of play to take a quick 1-0 lead over the Statesmen. Delta State's Paul Ochnicki answered with a goal of his own on a pass from Leonardo Rodrigues to even the score at 1-1 at the 17:33 mark. The half time score remained at 1-1.
A slow start to the second half saw both squads miss opportune shots. Another Choctaw goal in the 75th minute of play put Mississippi College up 2-1 over the Statesmen. Statesmen Amine Rahmani secured the equalizer for Delta State with just five minutes left in regulation. After 90 minutes of play, the score was stuck at 2-2, which led to overtime.
The first overtime saw great effort on both sides but neither team could get a good shot off, leading to the second overtime. Mississippi College sealed the deal with a goal from Victor Marinho in the 104th minute of play to clinch the win.
Delta State was outshot by a 28-21 margin in favor of the Choctaws. Amine Rahmani and Paul Ochnicki led the way for the Statesmen. Rahmani recorded four shots, three on goal, and one goal, while Ochnicki recorded three shots, three on goal, and one goal of his own, both their second goals of the season.
Milos Boskovic suffered the loss in goal for Delta State. He played over 59 minutes and recorded five saves while allowing two goals.
Delta State returns to action on Friday, Oct. 11 in Huntsville, Ala. to take on Gulf South Conference opponent University of Alabama-Huntsville. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. The Lady Statesmen soccer team will play before the men's game at 5:00 p.m.
