MARSHALL, Texas – Looking to send their seniors off in memorable fashion, the East Texas Baptist University men's soccer team used a golden goal by Max Ponticorvo in the 96^th minute of overtime to take home the 2-1 win over Howard Payne University. ETBU closes out the regular season with an overall record of 9-5-2 and an American Southwest Conference mark of 6-3-2. Following the victory, ETBU is locked in at the #4 spot in the ASC Tournament standings and will host the University of the Ozarks on Tuesday, Oct. 30. ETBU finishes the season with a winning record for the first time since 2005.

ETBU outshot HPU, attempting 13 total shots to the HPU's 10. The Tigers had seven of their 13 attempts coming right at the net, while the Yellow Jackets launched five right on goal. Daniel Rutter led the Tigers in shot attempts, with five total and three coming on goal. Silas Sangano, Michael Andrews and Ponticorvo each took two shots in the match. Bryant Botello recorded four saves on the defensive end. Michael Westerman scored HPU's only goal in the contest.

The Yellow Jackets stormed out of the gate in the opening half, mounting an aggressive attack against the Tiger defense. HPU launched five shots in the first 34 minutes of play.
The Yellow Jackets would have the opportunity at the game's first goal, when Westerman stepped up for a penalty kick after an ETBU foul. Westerman would convert the PK, giving his squad the 1-0 advantage at the 38^th minute. Shots by Rutter and Sangano failed to find the mark, resulting in a 1-0 deficit heading into halftime.

ETBU would launch several shots at the net with no result in the first 35 minutes of the second half. HPU would finally surrender a goal of their own after Rutter sank a 24-yard shot to tie the match 1-1. Both teams played air-tight defense over the final 10 minutes, ultimately leading to a stalemate at 1-1 to end regulation.
Ponticorvo attempted the first shot of the overtime session but it would end in a save for HPU's Andrew Hackney to keep the game all knotted up. Ponticorvo would have his moment at redemption, as Rutter dished out a cross that would send Ponticorvo for a shot to the top right corner of the net for the game winning goal in the 96^th minute of play, giving ETBU the 2-1 victory.

ETBU will host University of the Ozarks on Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 7:00 p.m. in the opening round of the ASC Tournament. This will be the first time in program history that the Tigers will host an ASC Tournament match.