VIRGINIA BEACH -- A partisan Virginia Wesleyan College crowd erupted when rookie Kyle Fisher rocketed the ball into the net with just one second remaining in regulation time Sunday against the University of Mary Washington.

Fisher (Virginia Beach/Landstown) tied the game in the Marlins Classic at 2-2, set up by a pass from sophomore standout Travis Walke (Virginia Beach/Landstown).

It was not only a shot that electrified the crowd at the Trinder Center, but it also ignited the host Marlins who dominated early action in the first overtime period.  But, in a fraction of a second, the visiting Eagles managed to kick the ball over the defense and headed in the other direction on the field.

Virginia Wesleyan's defenders gave chase, but followed a little too closely as an Eagle was fouled taking the ball into the box. Mary Washington was awarded a penalty kick in the 102nd minute and Tommy Sangbouasy (Manassas/Osbourn) connected to give the Eagles a 3-2 victory.

It was the second penalty kick of the game for Mary Washington as the Eagles also benefitted from a yellow card issued to a VWC player in the box in the 77th minute.  Sangbouasy hit on that open kick too, giving the Eagles a 2-1 lead.

Virginia Wesleyan came back strong in the remaining minutes of regulation and saw the effort pay off when Fisher found the opening for his hard kick through the defense to tie the game.

Fisher turned in another impressive effort for Virginia Wesleyan as he scored both of the Marlins' goals.  He put VWC on the scoreboard first, ripping the ball into the upper right corner from about 15 yards out off a feed from sophomore Blake Eshleman (Columbus, Ohio/Reynoldsburg) in the 34th minute.

Mary Washington answered quickly however, as the Eagles scored just 46 seconds later when Andrew Osiecki (Fairfax/Robinson) knocked the ball back into the net after it was knocked back into the field of play following a save.

Virginia Wesleyan finished with a 19-18 edge in shots, while Mary Washington posted an 8-4 advantage in corner kicks.

The physical game produced 28 fouls, 19 by Mary Washington. Eight yellow cards were issued overall, four to each team.

Sophomore goalie Connor Kirkham (Centreville/Chantilly Westfield) helped VWC's defensive game by producing 11 saves. Tyler Back (Falls Church/George Mason) had five saves for UMW.

Virginia Wesleyan will attempt to snap a two-game losing skid on Wednesday, Sept. 11, when the Marlins host the Knights of Southern Virginia University starting at 5 p.m.

--AMDG--