The Oglethorpe men's soccer team got a game-winning goal from sophomore midfielder Topher Marshall in the second period of overtime Saturday, propelling them to a 2-1 victory over No. 17 Centre in Danville, Kentucky. Freshman forward Gabe Alvarez won a penalty kick in the first minute of double overtime, leading to Marshall's golden goal. The victory was Oglethorpe's first of the season and improved them to 1-0 in SAA play to start the conference campaign.

The score was tied 1-1 headed into overtime, and the Stormy Petrels proved to be the stronger of the two teams during the overtime sessions. They fired five shots and put a pair on target in the opening 10 minutes of extra time, compared to no shots for the Colonels. The Petrels were unable to find the winning goal, however, sending the game to the second overtime period.

Thirty-eight seconds into the second period, Alvarez was dragged down in the box, setting up the game-winning penalty kick opportunity in the 101st minute. Marshall calmly stepped to the spot and slotted it home, giving Oglethorpe the victory.

After a scoreless first half which saw the Petrels outshoot Centre 8-4, the second half featured much of the same. There was an 8-6 shot advantage in the second, and Oglethorpe finally broke through in the 76th minute off an assist from Alvarez, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead. The Colonels answered back with an equalizing goal in the 83rd minute, setting up the overtime finish.

For the game, the Petrels outshot the Colonels 22-10, including 11-3 on goal. They dictated the play for most of the 100-plus minutes and especially in overtime, where the Petrels outshot Centre 6-0, 3-0 on goal. Only excellent work by Centre goalkeeper Bailey Spade, who made nine saves, kept the home team in the game. 

"This was a great performance by our team," said Oglethorpe head coach Jon Akin. "We played very well against a nationally-ranked opponent, really taking the game to them. We deserved the win today, and it's great to get one to start the SAA schedule. Though we were winless coming into this game, conference season presents a brand-new opportunity for us, and we're off to an excellent start."

The Petrels will return to Atlanta next weekend for their SAA home opener Saturday against Sewanee at 7 p.m. after heading to Tennessee for a non-conference tilt against Maryville Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. After that, they'll welcome Rhodes and Hendrix to campus the following weekend.