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Bears clinch playoff berth with 3-2 double OT win over Pearl River

By: Michael D. Gunnell, Southwest Sports Information
Michael Escobar

Men's Soccer | 10/14/2017 11:31:00 PM

Santiago Martinez's goal on a penalty kick in the 106th minute gave the Bears a thrilling 3-2 double overtime win over the visiting Pearl River Wildcats Saturday afternoon. With the win the Bears locked up a berth in the upcoming MACJC playoffs, the program's second straight post-season appearance.
 
The Bears held a 1-0 lead at the end of the first half. In the 36th minute, Eliseo Tapia played a great through ball to make the Pearl River keeper commit.
Stephon Walker then took the ball and, taking a touch around, put the ball into the top of the net.
 
The Bears' lead held up until the 63rd minute when Bo Bowman scored to knot the score at 1-1. Pearl River (7-5, 4-3 MACJC South) took a 2-1 lead on T. J. Gines' goal in the 77th minute.
 
With time running out for the Bears, an "own goal" by Pearl River tied the score at 2-2 in the 88th minute. With neither team able to score in the final 2:00, the game went into overtime.
 
After a scoreless first overtime, the teams then went into a second extra period. Just as it seemed the game might end in a deadlock, Martinez dribbled through the back line and was fouled in the box. Given the chance on a penalty kick, he then buried the ball into the next to give the Bears the win and a spot in the playoffs.
 
"We knew it was a very important game," said Bears head coach Zach Mills. "It was nerve-wracking, especially with all our injuries (the Bears played the game minus three starters who were out with injuries)."
 
"We went up in the first half and we felt good about things," Mills continued, "but then PRCC's a strong team. (We knew they) were going to come back and fight hard. They ended up getting two on us. Luckily, with the resilience my boy have and the hard work they put in, they made some things happen. We got a little bit of luck when the ball fell for us on the own goal. But, we made sure we were there to finish it if it hadn't gone in."
 
Mills said he was proud of the way his players because "they were so tired and they were beat up and everyone was playing as hard as they could. I can't say enough about Santi (Martinez), (after he was fouled) getting up and putting it in the upper 90. Obviously it's a big win, but we're still in need of some more and we want to see everything keep going."
Currently in third place in the South Division, the Bears can finish in second place with a win in their season finale at Meridian and a Pearl River loss against Jones County. Both games are set for a 7:00 start on October 17.
 
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Players Mentioned

Santiago Martinez

#13 Santiago Martinez

F
5' 7"
Freshman
Stephon Walker

#23 Stephon Walker

F
5' 11"
Freshman
Eliseo Tapia

#24 Eliseo Tapia

MF
5' 7"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Santiago Martinez

#13 Santiago Martinez

5' 7"
Freshman
F
Stephon Walker

#23 Stephon Walker

5' 11"
Freshman
F
Eliseo Tapia

#24 Eliseo Tapia

5' 7"
Freshman
MF