Sindle Header Gives WildCats Double-Overtime Victory in Semifinal Thriller

LYNCHBURG, Va. --- Randolph College sophomore Corey Sindle netted his league-leading 13th goal of the year 2:47 into double overtime to propel the WildCats into the ODAC Tournament Championship on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over Virginia Wesleyan College Tuesday from WildCat Stadium.

Sophomore John Adams corralled the ball and sent a perfectly driven ball to Sindle following a throw-in. Sindle out-jumped the center back and flicked the header past Virginia Wesleyan keeper Ryan Zmuda for his fifth game-winner of the season. The victory was also the fifth consecutive for Randolph, and fourth straight 2-1 win the ‘Cats have earned.

The WildCats, who are now 6-1 in overtime games this season, move on to play in their first-ever title game in men’s soccer Saturday. Wednesday evening’s semifinal between No. 6 Lynchburg College and No. 2 Eastern Mennonite University will decide Randolph’s opponent. If LC wins, Randolph will host its cross town rival, but if EMU pulls it out then the WildCats will head to Harrisonburg.

The victory did not come easy though, as the Marlins (7-11-1) came out strong, controlling the pace of play for the first 25 minutes of the game. After four shots and four corner kicks by the Marlins, Josh Christian finished a shot a off header pass from a free kick to put VWC up 1-0. Virginia Wesleyan finished the half with a 6-2 edge in the shot department.

After intermission, Randolph started to get more going, though the Marlins still had counter-attack chances. Early into the half, Issac Arrington just missed putting the visitors up 2-0 as his shot hit the crossbar. In the 80th minute, Christian again broke into the open and tried to chip the retreating keeper for Randolph, but his shot went high left.

Just over five minutes later, Randolph was awarded two corner kicks. After the first one was knocked out by VWC, the second was taken again by Jacob Lusczek. Lusczek bent the ball into the middle of the box and it ended up in the side paneling directly off the corner. The goal was Lusczek’s fifth marker of the year.

VWC came right back, and had a great flurry in front of keeper Carter Smith, but Brian Cornell’s shot was stopped by Smith to send the game to overtime. In the first overtime, Randolph’s Nick Cornell sprinted in alone after a deflected pass and missed the target barely to the left.

That set up the heroics by Sindle, who had been bottled up all game, but made his last opportunity count as he scored on his lone shot of the game. Adams had one of the best games of the year for Randolph, while defensive center midfielder John Vecchietti continued to show why he is becoming one of the best players in the league.

Smith finished with seven saves on the evening, while Zmuda had three saves for the Marlins. Randolph was outshot by VWC, 16-12, but earned a 13-7 edge on corner kicks. Christian had a game-high six shots for the Marlins, who were denied their 15th appearance in an ODAC final. Lusczek paced Randolph with four shots, including one that clanged off the post in the second half.

“I know this team and they have fought to the end every single game this year,” said Randolph head coach Bryan Waggoner. “They continue to impress me more and more with their desire and will not to lose. We as coaches can tell them what to do, but ultimately they have to go and do it and that’s what they did today.”

This release is courtesy of the Randolph College sports information department.