Men’s Soccer Loses Season Finale to Western Kentucky in Double-Overtime, 2-1 11/1/02
Hilltoppers Score Two Unanswered Goals To Obtain Victory

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The 2002 season concluded in heartbreaking fashion for the Vanderbilt men’s soccer team, as it fell to Missouri Valley Conference rival Western Kentucky on Friday night, 2-1 in double overtime. Forward Austin Oyler was the hero of the game, as he scored in the 104th minute to give the Hilltoppers the come-from-behind victory.

The Commodores conclude the season with a 3-15 overall record and a 1-8 mark in the MVC, while the Hilltoppers conclude their campaign with a 8-10-1 overall mark and a 2-7 record in the conference. Western Kentucky now leads the all-time series with Vanderbilt, 14-9-1.

Forward Jeff Baker got the the Commodores on the board in the 21st minute, when he scored off a rebound following a save from Hilltoppers’ goalkeeper Daryl Slatter. Once gathering the rebound, he pounded the ball into the far upper corner of the net. Baker’s goal was his second of the season.

After going scoreless in the first half, Western Kentucky got its first goal in the 73rd minute. Defender Ron Plute also scored off a rebound, which initially bounced off a Vanderbilt defender. Once collecting the ball, he blasted a shot from around 18 yards out, which wistled by Vanderbilt goalkeeper Brad Winter.

With the contest tied, neither team was able to put a shot in the back of the net during the remainder of regulation. After the first 10 minute overtime, the Hilltoppers sealed the game early on in the second overtime. Oyler’s goal came off a perfect cross from forward Justin Goodman, which he volleyed into the back of the net.

The Hilltoppers outshot the Commodores 17-9 for the game, while also having three more corner kicks (7-4). Winter finished with three saves, while Slatter recorded two.

Goals
VU: Jeff Baker (Unassisted) - 20:04
WKU: Ron Plute (Unassisted) - 72:35
WKU: Austin Oyler (Justin Goodman) - 103:15