LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- Monday night’s soccer match between Covenant and Maryville College was for more than just bragging rights and the Highland Cup; it would also determine who would be named Great South Athletic Conference regular season champion.  On a crisp and cool evening, both teams battled hard into overtime but it was ultimately the Scots of Maryville College that came away with the 1-0 victory in double overtime as Ridge Carter’s golden goal in the 107th minute gave Maryville the outright conference regular season championship.

With the loss, Covenant drops to 7-8-2 and suffers its first defeat in conference action as they fall to 3-1. Maryville is now 12-4-2 and finishes a perfect 4-0 in GSAC play for the season.

After Covenant’s Chris Pifer had his header saved by Maryville keeper Zach Gutzman in the 106th minute, Gutzman quickly got the ball down the field where Carter was able to finish with a shot that deflected off Covenant keeper John Eger and into the net for the score.

Both teams had multiple chances in the first period to get on the scoreboard. Jay Boyd and David Huertas each had opportunities to score, but Maryville keeper Gutzman was there both times for the save. Huertas’ shot was placed perfectly into the upper corner of the frame from about 30 yards out, but Gutzman was able to get enough of his hand on the ball to deflect it away.  Meanwhile, Eger was doing all he could to keep Maryville off the scoreboard with two saves, both off the foot of Maryville’s Carter, in the period.

In the second period, Maryville came close to notching the match’s first goal when Jake Holt’s header just missed the mark and ricocheted off the crossbar in the 46th minute.  Moments later, Maryville’s Travis Bolton had a breakaway but was unable to finish the shot as it sailed wide of the net.  For Covenant, Gordon Carpenter had two shots at the goal, but again the Scots were denied by Gutzman as both of Carpenter’s shots were saved.

On the night, Covenant was outshot by Maryville 22-15, but the home Scots had a 6-5 advantage in shots on goal.  Each team had eight corner kicks.  Eger recorded four saves for Covenant while Gutzman had six of his own.

Covenant will wrap up the regular season with a match against Berry College on Saturday night at 7 p.m. at Scotland Yard.  Senior Night will take place during the night’s events.

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