Men's Soccer | 10/9/2009 11:40:15 PM

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UTICA, NY -- The RIT (5-6-1, 3-1-0  E8) men's soccer team won an overtime thriller, beating Utica College (3-7-1, 0-3-1 E8) 4-3 in double overtime. Bret Dietz (Harrisburg, PA/Bishop McDevitt) scored the game-winner in the 106th minute to give the Tigers their third straight Empire 8 victory.  Dom Coleprete had a goal and an assist to lead the Tigers.

RIT took control with two goals early in the first half. Jeff Diaz (Brentwood, NY/Brentwood) had the first RIT goal on an assist from Sean Coots (Binghamton, NY/Johnson City) in the 38th minute. He headed in a service from Dietz over the head of Utica keeper Kevin Murphy.

Allen Nicholson (Lewisburg, PA/Lewisburg Area) gave RIT a 2-0 lead at the 44:49 mark of the first half. Nicholson scored on a header off a centeriing pass from Dom Colaprete (Spencerport, NY/Spencerport). He centered the ball into the middle of the goalie box with just 11 seconds to go in the first half of play that Nicholson headed home.

The Pioneers used a ten minute burst in the second half to score three consecutive goals. David Garcia cut the RIT lead in half when he netted his first goal of the season on a breakaway shot into the lower left corner at 67:43.

Less than ten minutes later Nathan Broedel knotted the contest up at 2-2 with his third goal of the season off a gorgeous free kick into the top left corner from 25 yards out.

On the Pioneers next possession they took a one goal lead after Garcia sent in a perfect crossing pass and Ilebani headed it home for his team-best fifth goal of the year.

Coleprete scored his team-best fourth goal of the season in the 84th minute off an assist from Diaz to send the contest into overtime.

Dietz, a junior midfielder, headed home the game winner in double overtime for RIT after a crossing pass from Diaz in the 105th minute of the contest.

RIT was outshot by Utica 22-11 on the day and also earned an 11-4 corner kick advantage. Ben Frazier (Westminster, MD/Westminster) made six saves, picking up his third straight win. Kevin Murphy stopped five shots in the loss.

RIT returns to action on Tuesday, October 13 with a game against Buffalo State. Kick-off is at 4 pm on RIT Field.