BEAVER FALLS, Pa. – The Geneva College men's soccer team celebrated the life of former head men's soccer coach Dave Murray, who passed away this summer, prior to its game with Marietta on Saturday night.  The matchup did not disappoint between the two squads that are both predicted to finish near the top of their respective conferences, but despite constant pressure throughout the second half and overtime by the Golden Tornadoes, the two teams settled for a scoreless tie after two overtime periods.  Geneva's record now stands at 1-0-1.

Prior to the game, Geneva celebrated the life of Dave Murray and the impact he made both as a player, but also as Geneva's head men's soccer coach over his 16-year tenure, with Murray's 188 victories the most in program history.  Over 50 former players returned to honor their coach, along with a number of Murray's extended family.

Following those festivities, the game got underway, and it was actually Marietta that had the better of the play in the opening half.  The Pioneers had more of the possession, though neither team was able to generate much in the way of scoring threats.  Marietta finished the first half with two shots, compared to just one for Geneva.

The Golden Tornadoes came out energized in the second half, and they controlled the possession, with Marietta unable to create many chances.  Sophomore Carnel Kerr (Flankers, Jamaica/Carlynton) almost broke through in the 53^rd minute, but his header from ten yards out banged off the post.  Geneva continued to apply pressure, generating four corner kicks, but the Golden Tornadoes couldn't find the game-winning goal, and the game moved into overtime still scoreless.

Kerr almost ended the game in the opening minute of the first overtime period, but this time his header from the middle of the box off a corner kick clanged off the crossbar, with Marietta against fortunate with the woodwork.

The game went to the second overtime period, and after a fairly quiet second half and first overtime period for junior goalkeeper Gabe Kemp (Normalville, Pa./Connellsville), the First Team All-PAC performer came up huge in the second overtime when the team needed him.  Geneva had a rare defensive miscue out near midfield with just two minutes remaining, allowing Marietta's Reggie Grayek to steal the ball and sprint in behind the defense for a breakaway.  But Kemp came out to meet Grayek and smothered his shot with a diving save to preserve the scoreless tie.

Geneva finished the game with an 11-9 advantage in shots, with the Golden Tornadoes holding a 7-3 edge in the second half.  Kemp made four saves for his second shutout of the season.  Geneva also held a 6-0 edge in corner kicks.

"This was a special night for many reasons, but the main one was the chance to honor the memory of Dave Murray," said Head Coach Gary Dunda.  "I hope my guys did Coach Murray justice with how hard they fought against a very good Marietta squad.  It was a game that was hotly contested, with physicality and intensity.  But ultimately our thoughts and prayers are with Coach Murray's family and friends, and it was great to see so many of them here tonight in his honor."

Geneva will be back in action next weekend when the Golden Tornadoes host the Nate Ferraco Classic.  Geneva will welcome Elmhurst on Friday at 7:00 p.m., and then follow that up with a game against Mount Union on Saturday beginning at 6:00 p.m.


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 145 traditional undergraduate majors and programs, fully online Adult Degree Programs and high-demand graduate degrees, Geneva's programs are recognized for their high quality. Geneva has one of the top 100 undergraduate engineering programs in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Report. 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. Geneva was founded and is governed by the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA) and is a founding member of both the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and IACE (International Association for Christian Education).