Box Score Jeremy Zalacca - Director of Athletic Communications
GAFFNEY, S.C. - Jaime Siaj scored his third game-winning goal of the season as the No. 11 Pfeiffer men's soccer team (6-0, 2-0 CC) defeated No. 6 Limestone (4-1, 1-1) by a final score of 2-1 in overtime on Saturday evening at Saints Field. The goal was Siaj's second of the day and eighth of the season to propel the Falcons to a huge road victory over Limestone.
Juan Sanchez lofted a cross into the box that Nathan Regis deflected to Siaj who found the back of the net in the 99th minute to hand Limestone its first regular season Conference Carolinas loss since Nov. 2, 2013, a span of 11 matches.
Regis finished the contest with two assists and Siaj accounted for seven of his team's 16 shots on the night. Nicolas Dulac made two saves as the Falcons remain unbeaten on the year and run their record to 18-2-1 over the past 21 matches.
Limestone struck for the first goal of the contest in the 27th minute off a corner kick. Harry Cooksley sent a corner into the box and found the head of Sam Hibbert for his second goal of the season. Pfeiffer's best scoring chance of the half came off the foot of Santi Moar who whistled a shot just wide of the net. The half would end with each team recording four shots with Limestone putting two on frame.
Siaj netted the evener in the 56th minute as Regis set him up perfectly. Pfeiffer controlled most of the second half but Limestone had a chance to take the lead when the hosts were awarded an indirect free kick inside the box. With all 11 players guarding the goal, Harry Cooksley's shot went high with under 20 minutes left in regulation.
The turning point of the match occurred in the 89th minute when Limestone's Joe Pegg was given two yellow cards and sent to the locker room, leaving the Saints a man down for the rest of the contest. A dangerous slide tackle earned him the first yellow and the second came in the resulting scrum as the Falcons took the man advantage.
With time ticking down in the first overtime period, Siaj scored the winner and set off a celebration on the sidelines. Tonight marked Pfeiffer's first match at Saints Field since they clinched the Conference Carolinas Tournament in penalty kicks last year.
With his performance today, Siaj has scored at least one goal in every match this season.
"We came out in the second half and took the half over," said Head Coach Bob Reasso. "It was a great team performance and we beat a great team tonight. They deserve a lot of credit for their part in making this a great match."
The Falcons out shot Limestone 9-4 in the second half and 16-10 on the game. The Saints were given six yellow cards on the night and now look up at Pfeiffer in the conference standings.
With the win, Reasso is just two shy of 400 career wins as he inherited a one-win team and has transformed it into a national player just a few short years into his tenure.
The Falcons return to action in a week as they host Lees-McRae at NE Lefko Field.
