Box Score CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Queens University of Charlotte men's soccer team was able to get a 3-2 overtime victory against the Trojans of Anderson University this evening at the Queens Sports Complex. The Royals move to 6-1 overall and 3-0 in conference play, while Anderson moves to 4-2-1 overall and 1-2 in conference play.
 
Queens was only able to muster two shots in the early going, as Anderson had the better of the chances and had significantly more possession during the first 45 minutes.
 
The first period flew by with both teams unable to get behind the defense in a way that would present a clear scoring opportunity.  Anderson ended up outshooting Queens, 6-2, in the first half, and head coach Oliver Carias was glad to get into the half without conceding a goal.
 
The second half was a complete 180 from the first period, as Queens came out with a fierce intensity, determined to finish into the back of the net. The monsoon that started to fall at the beginning of the second half did nothing to slow the play down. In fact, it was quite the opposite, and the fans were treated to an excellent second half.
 
Only two minutes into the half, Yannick Fischbach was able to lead on Felipe Netto at the top of the 18. Netto was wide open and had the option to shoot or play forward Erick Suarez through to goal. In an unselfish play, Netto led Suarez in towards goal. A perfectly weighted pass, Suarez received it in a threatening position, eight yards out from goal. The defender would not let Suarez shoot though, and grabbed his jersey, causing Suarez to slow down and not have an attempt on goal. A penalty was called by the referee, and Queens had a chance to get on the board.
 
Netto, held without a goal in the past four games, stepped up calmly to the spot, and professionally slotted the ball into the right hand corner, sending Anderson keeper the opposite way.
 
With a 1-0 lead, Anderson realized they needed to put their feet on the pedal, and did so, forcing the Royals into turnovers and linking passes together through their midfield. The game began to get chippie, something that would only escalate as emotions and the game wore on. At one point, senior midfielder Thiago Andrade was taken out on the right sideline, right in front of the Royals bench. The entire team jumped up to his defense, and a yellow card was given to the offender, Anderson defender Lars Zimmerman.
 
Nothing resulted from the Royals free kick, and Anderson continued their pressure. In the 58th minute, the Trojans were able to force a free kick in the home team's side of the field. The subsequent kick went deep into the Royals six-yard box, and was deflected into the back of the net masterfully by Zimmerman, who had more than made up for his blunder on Andrade only six minutes earlier.
 
Momentum was in Andersons favor, but only for a few minutes, as Suarez was brought down right outside the 18 yard box in the 61st minute on a clumsy tackle from a Trojan defender. As the wall was established, the referee, unbeknownst to the visiting team, blew his whistle. Andrade, known this season for his quick free kicks, did just that again, curling a beautiful effort over the wall as the keeper stood in cement. Dickson Field erupted, and Queens had a 2-1 lead.
 
Twelve minutes later, with Anderson threatening, the visiting team was awarded a corner kick. Looking to capitalize for a second time on a set piece, Anderson took the corner quickly but only passing it five yards. Not prepared for the quick play, the Queens defense was caught out of position. The incoming ball bounced around several times, finally falling to Henrique Gazzi, who was able to get a boot on it and put it behind the line.
 
It was a goal that each defender wanted back, as it was an avoidable event. Time continued to tick on and the game became more and more physical and more and more open, with both teams looking like they had fatigued legs.
 
With neither team able to get a game winner before overtime, both teams entered the extra period with experience. For the Trojans, it was their third overtime game this season, and for the Royals it was their second.
 
Much like the Royals did in overtime against Tusculum, they were able to seize possession from the beginning. It took nine minutes, but the ball eventually fell to Netto nine yards out from the goal. As he has done so many times this season, the senior finished with authority into the right side of the goal, sending a curling effort which barely avoided a Trojan defender.
 
The Royals return to the Queens Sports Complex on Saturday as they host Coker College in another conference matchup at 7:30 p.m. Coker is ranked fifth in the region, compared to the Royals' ninth place ranking.