Garvey's goal gives Centre overtime win over Covenant

September 24, 2011

Playing in its fourth double overtime match in the last five contests, Centre once again came up with some late heroics as a Ryan Garvey goal with less than two minutes to play gave the Colonels a 1-0 win over Covenant College on Saturday in Danville, Ky.

Centre had several chances throughout the evening, but was unable to convert until Garvey (Louisville, Ky.) was able to get his head on a ball off a set piece from just inside midfield, putting it past Covenant goalkeeper John Eger with 1:45 to play in the final overtime. Jeremy Smith (Cincinnati, Ohio) was credited with the assist.

The Colonels' defense continued its strong play, posting a shutout for the fourth straight game, three of which went to two overtimes. Senior goalkeeper Chris Jackson (Oxford, Ohio) was in net for all four, and posted five saves in Saturday's victory.

"It's our fourth shutout in a row," said Centre head coach Jeb Burch. "We're starting to build a fortress back there."

Though the Colonels took until the 109th minute to break through, they certainly had their chances, outshooting Covenant 28-14 and holding a 10-3 advantage in corners. Centre's closest calls came during a second half stretch when the team took five shots in just over a minute with a Jack Goblirsch (Elizabethtown, Ky.) shot hitting the right post and a Cameron Miller (Nicholasville, Ky.) shot hitting the crossbar. Austin Hall (Indianapolis, Ind.) also hit the crossbar on a penalty kick at the beginning of the second half.

"I am a little concerned about our guys putting too much pressure on themselves in the offensive third," said Burch. "If you look at the shot count and corners, we had chances galore. Our guys just need to play a bit more free there, and I'm confident the goals will come."

With the win, Centre improves to 5-2-1 on the season. The Colonels open up Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play Friday against Trinity immediately following the women's game which begins at 6 p.m.

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