HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker University men's soccer team lost a heart-breaking match in overtime to the nationally ranked Francis Marion University Patriots by a score of 2-1.
The Cobras played a great first half defensively as they were able to hold the Patriots scoreless for the first 45 minutes of play. In the 35th minute, Christian Provenzano delivered a great through-ball to Markos Touroukis, who fired a shot past opposing goalkeeper Maximiliano Rocco to give the Cobras a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
However, the Patriots answered back with an equalizing goal in the 73rd minute, when Travis Cooke found the back of the net. Just a few moments later, goalkeeper Giancarlo Martinez made a clutch diving save to keep the match tied, punching a shot by Sidney Warden out of bounds. With the score remaining deadlocked at 1-1, the stage was set for overtime.
Four minutes into overtime in the 99th minute of the match, Jafet Santiago fired a shot past Martinez to clinch the 2-1 victory for Francis Marion.
Markos Touroukis was named the McDonald's Player of the Game for his goal in the first half.
The Cobras will be back in action on Saturday (Nov. 2) when they host Lincoln Memorial University on senior day. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. Live coverage can be found at www.cokercobras.com