College Men’s Soccer Final – Guilford 1, Emory & Henry 1 (OT)

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Guilford College’s Eric Hayes saved Jordan Couch’s point-blank header in the 104th minute to preserve the Quakers’ 1-1 overtime soccer tie with visiting Emory & Henry College Tuesday night. Hayes’ fifth save of the night prevented the nation’s second-leading goal scorer from netting a golden goal and giving the visiting Wasps three points in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) standings.

Guilford (5-6-1, 0-2-1 ODAC) scored the opening tally in transition as Jake Grieco’s long crossing pass connected with a streaking Enrique Gudino in the middle of the penalty area. Gudino slotted the ball into the net from six yards out, his second score of the season. The play gave Guilford a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute.

The halftime deficit did not sit well with the Wasps (8-4-1, 1-2-1 ODAC), who start the second half aggressively. Their labors proved fruitful in the 57th minute when Zach Quest served a ball into the off a short corner, which Couch headed past Hayes towards the far left post for his ODAC-leading 18th goal of the year. The assist marked Quest’s NCAA Division III-best 13th helper of the year.

While Emory & Henry had the better chances and more possession, Guilford countered effectively and had some good scoring opportunities. The Quakers got solid minutes up top from Grieco, whose pressure generated chances at the start of the first overtime and the end of the second. Defender Mark Dandanell had a strong game in the back, frequently clearing away Emory & Henry volleys with both his head and his feet.

Most of Guilford’s defensive the attention was on Couch, whose 37 points entering the contest stood fourth among NCAA Division III leaders. The one-time Guilford player moved well without the ball and took six shots, three on goal. Fellow front-runner Tyequis Stallins took five shots, one on goal. Quest was solid in the offensive zone, placing frequently corner and free kicks in dangerous places that required strong play by the Quakers’ back line.
Emory & Henry enjoyed a 20-7 edge in shots, but both sides took eight corners. Hayes made five saves, compared to three for his counterpart, Didier Grillet. The relatively clean tilt featured 11 fouls, a yellow for each side and three offsides.

Coach Cory Speed’s Quakers visit league-rival Eastern Mennonite University Saturday (10/15) at 7:00 p.m.