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CALIFORNIA (Sept. 7) – The No. 21 Vulcans opened play at the new Soccer Facility in dramatic fashion on Wednesday night, as sophomore Christopher Karns (Mars, Pa./Mars) scored the game-winning goal in the 96th minute to claim a 1-0 overtime victory over Wheeling Jesuit.

With the victory, the California University of Pennsylvania men's soccer team remains unbeaten at 3-0-1 this season. The Vulcans also extended their streak of scoreless minutes to 385-plus minutes after not allowing a goal through their first four games of the year. Meanwhile, Wheeling Jesuit falls to 1-2-0 overall after entering the game as the top-ranked team in the region.

After the game was tied 0-0 after regulation, the two teams battled for possession of the ball in overtime with Cal U being issued a yellow card in the 94th minute and later being called for an offside. The Vulcans then broke the scoreless tie at the 95:36-mark when Karns tallied his second career game-winning goal (both against Wheeling Jesuit) off an assist from senior Brady Sanders (Level Green, Pa./Penn-Trafford).

Both teams had several scoring opportunities throughout the first period. The Cardinals had two shots on goal in the first three minutes, while senior Edin Sabic (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) hit the crossbar in the 19th minute. Cal U also nearly broke the scoreless tie in the closing minutes of the first period, including another shot off the crossbar by sophomore Ryan Slaby (Pittsburgh, Pa./Central Catholic). In the second half, the Vulcans controlled possession by taking eight shots (three on goal).

Redshirt senior Charlie Dagnal (Carnegie, Pa./Carlynton), who was named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Athlete of the Week yesterday, recorded his third shutout of the year after making a season-high five saves. Wheeling Jesuit's Cody Thompson finished with four saves in 95-plus minutes of action.

For the game, the Vulcans out-shot the Cardinals by an 18-7 margin and both teams attempted four corner kicks. The two teams were whistled for a combined 37 fouls and were issued three yellow cards.

Cal U returns to action on Friday, Sept. 9, when it travels to face Pitt-Johnstown at Point Stadium, starting at 1 p.m. Last year, the Vulcans claimed a 4-2 victory over the Mountain Cats at Roadman Park.