WAYNESBURG, Pa. – The Geneva College men's soccer team scored a dramatic double-overtime victory at Waynesburg on Wednesday night on a goal from senior James Mincone (East Northport, N.Y./Northport), defeating the Yellow Jackets 2-1.  The victory had added significance as it also clinched a spot in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) playoffs for the Golden Tornadoes.  Geneva improved to 9-8 overall, 5-2 in the PAC, while Waynesburg ended its season 5-9-3, 2-3-3 in the PAC.
 
The Golden Tornadoes headed into the match on Wednesday knowing they needed to pick up one point in their remaining two matches to secure a playoff spot.  Waynesburg was the team right behind Geneva in the standings, and the Yellow Jackets had not lost at home in conference play, so a win by Waynesburg would leave Geneva heading to first place Westminster on Saturday in need of a draw with the Titans in order to make it into the playoffs.
 
Waynesburg almost got on the board just two minutes into the match when a Yellow Jacket header bounced off the post, and Waynesburg's rebound shot was blocked before it had a chance to cross the line.  After that dangerous moment, Geneva began to settle down and had a couple of chances to find a goal, but it was Waynesburg who struck first.  A Geneva turnover in Waynesburg's half of the field led to a Yellow Jackets' counter attack, and Waynesburg's Dann Hott dribbed into the box and beat freshman goalkeeper Gabe Kemp (Normalville, Pa./Connellsville) just inside the far post to put Geneva into a hole in the 28^th minute.  Geneva was unable to find an equalizer before halftime, and despite outshooting Waynesburg 9-6 in the half, Geneva headed into the break down 1-0.
 
The Golden Tornadoes almost pulled level six minutes into the second half when sophomore Cole Sauer's (Middleburg, Pa./Midd-West) header banged off the cross bar, but just seconds later, as Waynesburg was attempting to clear the rebound, a foul was called on the Yellow Jackets giving Geneva a free kick from 27 yards away.  Junior Zach O'Connor (Darlington, Pa./Blackhawk), who is becoming known for his free kicks from this range, stepped up and put one into the upper corner of the goal.   Waynesburg's goalkeeper got a finger tip on it after a diving attempt, but he couldn't keep it out of the net as Geneva tied things up, 1-1.  It would prove to be a sign of things to come.
 
From that point on the Golden Tornadoes dominated the play, sending shot after a shot at the Waynesburg goal.  However, Geneva couldn't break through for the game-winner, and the game went to overtime.
 
Geneva continued its aggressive play in the first overtime period, outshooting Waynesburg 5-0, but it could not find the game-winner, sending the game to a second and final overtime period.
 
Mincone almost ended the game just minutes into the second overtime period when his turning shot from just outside the box that was ticketed towards the upper corner of the goal was just tipped over the bar by Waynesburg's goalie.  That save, though, set Geneva up with a corner kick, and after the kick bounced through the box, Sauer turned and sent the ball back in front of the face of the goal, and Mincone was there to chest it inside the near post, giving Geneva a dramatic 2-1 victory.
 
"It was an incredible effort by us tonight," said Head Coach Gary Dunda.  "Our guys were not going to be denied.  It shows great character to fall behind by a goal in the first half on the road and still find a way to win.  I am very proud of the entire group for their performance tonight."
 
The final stats showed how Geneva dominated most of the game.  Geneva held a 28-10 advantage in shots, including a 12-3 edge in shots on goal.  Sophomore Alex Yoder (Milton, Pa./Milton) had a season-high seven shots, including four on goal, while Sauer finished with five shots.  Kemp made two saves to pick up his third victory of the season.
 
Geneva now heads to Westminster on Saturday knowing it is already in the playoffs.  The Golden Tornadoes are currently sitting in fourth place in the conference, but a victory over the Titans could potentially boost them as high as the #2 seed, which would give Geneva at least one home game in the semifinals.


Geneva College is a Christ-centered academic community that provides a comprehensive education to equip students for faithful and fruitful service to God and neighbor. Offering over 115 traditional undergraduate majors and programs, fully online Adult Degree Programs and high-demand graduate degrees, Geneva's programs are recognized for their high quality. U.S. News & World Report ranks Geneva as a Top Three Best Value Regional University with one of the top engineering programs in the nation. Adhering to the truth of Scripture, a Geneva education is grounded in God's Word as well as in a core curriculum designed to prepare students vocationally to think, write and communicate well in today's world.