CALIFORNIA (Oct. 23) – Senior Eric Campbell (Erie, Pa./Harbor Creek) recorded two goals, including the game-winner in the 94th minute, as the Vulcans battled to a 3-2 overtime victory over Malone on Tuesday night at Phillipsburg Soccer Facility in non-conference action.
 
With the win, the California University of Pennsylvania men's soccer team improves to 3-8-4 overall with a pair of wins over the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) teams. The Vulcans have now played in six overtime contests this year and hold a 1-1-4-mark. Meanwhile, the Pioneers fall to 6-10-1 after playing in their third-consecutive overtime match.
 
Cal U nearly scored at the 6:30-mark of the first half when a shot attempt from freshmen Paul Young, Jr. (Kingston, Jamaica/St. George's) hit the post before classmate Dimitri Tsetezoh (Germantown, Md./Sherwood) collected the rebound and also hit the post. The Vulcan offense continued attacking with a pair of shots and a corner kick, but were unable to find the back of the net. Just four minutes later, Cal U had a two shots blocked and registered a corner kick before the Pioneers countered with a shot on goal. In the span of 10 minutes, the Vulcans recorded four more shots, including two on goal, but the Malone defense ended the offensive push. In the 31st minute, the Vulcans made a change in net to junior Joseph Valeriano (Southampton, N.J./Seneca) for the starter senior Austin Fisher (Carnegie, Pa./Chartiers Valley). The Pioneers ended the scoreless drought at the 33:31-mark after Gio Finelli beat the goalkeeper on a through ball from Nath McFeaters to take a 1-0 lead. Cal U tallied a pair of shots before the break, while Malone took a 1-0 advantage into halftime.
 
The Pioneers posted two shots in the initial 10 minutes of the second half before being issued a pair of yellow card by the official. At the 61:28-mark, the Vulcans made another substitution in net, as senior Lucas Exner (Horstmar, Germany/Pascal-Gymnasium) entered the game. Cal U managed to tie the match in the 63rd minute after Young peppered a goal, his third of the season, over the goalie with an assist registered by Tsetezoh. Cal U continued to apply pressure with five shots recorded before a penalty kick was awarded after a takedown in the box. Campbell fired the penalty-kick attempt into the back of the net to give the Vulcans a 2-1 advantage. Just over two minutes later, Malone was given a penalty kick after a handball in the box and tied the match at 2-2 on a strike from Jordan Young. Both teams fought for possession in the closing 20 minutes before the contest was forced into overtime.
 
In overtime, Campbell tallied the game-winner at the 93:03-mark, his team-leading fifth of the year, off a rebound from the initial shot by freshman Diego Rodriguez (Bristol, Pa./Harry S. Truman) to seal a 3-2 win over Malone. Campbell now sits third in recent school history with seven career game-winning goals.
 
The Vulcans utilized a total of three goalkeepers in the contest with Fisher earning his second career start and tallying three saves in 30:08 minutes in his first action since Aug. 30. Valeriano logged 31:20 minutes of action, while Exner collected the win after playing 31:35 minutes. Exner is now tied for third in recent school history with 19 career wins.  
 
The Vulcans close the season on Saturday, Oct. 27, when they host Lock Haven for Senior Day at Phillipsburg Soccer Facility, starting at 2:30 p.m.