NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – For the second time this week, the Geneva College men's soccer team went on the road and picked up a dramatic double-overtime victory in Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) action.  Three nights after winning in double overtime at Waynesburg, the Golden Tornadoes won in the second extra period again, this time on Saturday evening at Westminster, 1-0.  With the victory, Geneva clinched the second seed entering the PAC playoffs, giving it a home rematch with these same Titans next week.  Geneva finished the regular season 10-8 overall, 6-2 in the PAC, while Westminster finished with a 10-7-2 record, 5-1-2 in the PAC.

Geneva entered the day knowing its win at Waynesburg had clinched a playoff spot, but the Golden Tornadoes needed to defeat Westminster and have Washington & Jefferson either defeat or tie Grove City in its match to clinch a home playoff game in the PAC semifinals.  W&J took care of its business with a 1-0 victory over the Wolverines, meaning a Geneva victory over the Titans on Saturday night would elevate it into the second spot in the conference, ensuring at least one home playoff match.

Westminster had motivation as well, needing just a tie to clinch its own home playoff match.  With much on the line, the game proved to be a well-played affair between two quality teams.  Both defenses proved up to the task, though, as neither team found a goal in the first half, despite some entertaining soccer.  The Golden Tornadoes had a 7-5 edge in shots heading into the break.

Geneva almost got on the board in the 59^th minute when sophomore Cole Sauer (Middleburg, Pa./Midd-West) got on the end of a long ball inside the box, but his one-timer shot from seven yards out slammed off the crossbar.  Freshman goalkeeper Gabe Kemp (Normalville, Pa./Connellsville) came up big just a minute later when he made an excellent diving save on a curling Titan shot.  Five minutes later, another Westminster shot hit the post.  Then in the 76^th minute, Kemp came up with another huge save when he pushed a shot headed for the back of the Geneva net just wide.  That kept the game scoreless at the end of regulation.

Both defenses held tight in the first ten-minute overtime period, sending the game to a second overtime period.  With less than two minutes remaining and the game looking like it was headed towards a draw, Geneva came up with one last bit of magic.  A Westminster foul 70 yards from goal gave Geneva a free kick, which senior Devaughn Johns sent almost the length of the field.  Freshman Noah Abdel-Nabi (Recklinghausen, Germany/Recklinghausen) got on the end of the long ball just outside the box and flicked it into the run of freshman Antonio Fiordilino (McDonald, Pa./West Allegheny).  Fiordilino's shot from eight yards out to the far post was slightly deflected by Westminster's goalie, but not enough to keep it out of the net, giving Geneva another dramatic victory, 1-0.

"Tonight's match was a classic Geneva vs Westminster battle to the very end," said Head Coach Gary Dunda.  "This was two good teams playing well and determined to find any way to win.  I am so proud of my guys for finding a way to score and secure the second seed in the PAC playoffs.  Our back four of Devaughn Johns, Ian Gelsinger, Luke Herman and Kevin Pasho were great all night, and Gabe Kemp made two incredible saves in the second half.  We are already excited for the rematch on Wednesday."

The final stats showed how even the game was.  Westminster held slight advantages in shots, 20-17, and shots on goal, 10-9, but Geneva converted the only one that mattered.  Sauer proved especially active with a team-high four shots.  Kemp made a career-high ten saves to earn the shutout.

Geneva won't have much time to celebrate its hard earned-victory.  Westminster will head this way on Wednesday for a 7:00 p.m. rematch on Reeves Field in the PAC Semifinals.  W&J and Grove City will also have a rematch of their contest today in the other semifinal matchup on Wednesday.


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.