Posted: Sep 27, 2017
BEREA, Ohio – The Baldwin Wallace University men's soccer team battled back from a 2-0 deficit to tie Grove City (Pa.) College 2-2 in double overtime.
Grove City (4-2-3) opened up the game with a lot of energy, dominating possession and taking a quick 2-0 lead in the first 10 minutes off goals from senior midfielder Blake Baer and sophomore forward Christian Caporaso.
BW (4-5-1) cut the lead in half in the 14th minute when sophomore All-Ohio Athletic Conference forward Danny Ruple (Berea/Berea-Midpark) scored a breakaway goal off a through ball from sophomore midfielder Rafael Davalos (Kettering/Alter), marking Ruple's ninth goal of the season and Davalos's second assist.
The rest of the first half passed uneventfully as BW worked through some defensive problems and both teams only took four shots following Ruple's goal. Grove City held the slight advantage in shots (5-4) and shots on goal (3-2).
Once the Yellow Jackets began to stop some of Grove City's more dangerous players, they were able to start attacking in the offensive third. Davalos had a great look in the 50th minute when he tried to send the ball over the goalie's head but hit the crossbar instead. The Yellow Jackets continued to rifle off shots but could not find the back of the net until the 80th minute. Sophomore defender Jake Woodruff sent a cross into Davalos who volleyed the ball into the net off the bounce for his first goal of the season and Woodruff's first collegiate assist.
In the first overtime period, both teams battled for control but neither team was able to score the golden goal. The Yellow Jackets took two shots to Grove City's one, sending the game into double overtime.
Ruple gave the Yellow Jackets their best opportunity for the golden goal in the 108th minute when he was able to get past the defenders but could not find the back of the net while senior defender David Elsen (Cleves/St. Xavier) took the only shot in the second overtime period.
BW outshot the Wolverines 17-10 for the game while each team had six shots on goal and four saves.
Heading into conference play this weekend, the Yellow Jackets will look to put together a full, consistent 90 minutes of play while facing the physical OAC opponents to close out the season.
The Yellow Jackets will now head into conference play when they host the Pioneers of Marietta College on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. on Tressel Field inside George Finnie Stadium.
