Box Score Lexington, Ky. – An 80th-minute goal from junior forward Charlie Wend propelled the Transylvania men's soccer team to a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Defiance College Yellow Jackets at Pat Deacon Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Celebrating four seniors on Senior Day 2018, the Pioneers spent pregame with tributes to Tyler Joy-Brandon, Tristan Thielmeier, Thomas Shellenberg, and Jonathan Rase before regaling its crowd with an entrée in the form of a come-from-behind win with a payoff late in the afternoon.
The win lifts Transylvania's overall record to 5-4-3 and 3-1-1 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, handing the Pioneers sole possession of third place in the conference standings. Conversely, the loss drops the Yellow Jackets' record to 6-8 and 3-2 in the HCAC.
The first half was a slow-moving affair as the two teams combined for just five shots on goal, leading to a 0-0 score at the halftime intermission.
Early in the second half, the Yellow Jackets seized a 1-0 lead thanks to a beautiful header from Jarren Casto that found the back of the net.
The Pioneers leveled the score at 1-1 in the 67th minute when freshman midfielder Tyler Dobbs collected a rebound off a Defiance save and slipped a shot past the Yellow Jackets goalie.
Then, in the 80th minute, Transylvania took the lead for good when senior midfielder Thomas Shellenberg sent a pass into the box that Wend blasted into the net to seal the 2-1 victory, sending the Pioneers' sideline into hysteria.
Junior goalie Drew Grisham held strong in net for the Pioneers, recording four saves against just one goal allowed en route to the victory.
Up next for the Pioneers is a home matchup with the Hanover College Panthers, the team currently atop the HCAC standings, on Wednesday, October 17. First touch between the Pioneers and the Panthers is set for 7:00 p.m. at Pat Deacon Stadium.
For more on Transylvania men's soccer, follow @TransyMSoccer on Twitter
