Palacio’s Golden Goal lifts Skyhawks past No. 9 Milligan

WALESKA, Ga. (Sept. 19, 2021) – With 1:06 remaining in the game, Tommy Eskew came off the bench and helped the Point University men's soccer team score the game equalizing goal, sending the game into overtime. Neither team was able to connect for the golden goal in the first 10 minutes of overtime play, but with 4:02 remaining in the game, Pablo Sanz Diez found Facundo Palacio off a corner kick, and Palacio was able to sink the ball in the corner of the net to help Point pull off the upset Sunday afternoon.

"Today, we showed our quality and the hard work that everyone in the program has put in," Head Coach Mark Wozniak said. "We battled all game long against a great team in Milligan."

The matchup between the Skyhawks and Buffs was initially scheduled for Saturday evening inside River Bowl Stadium in West Point, Georgia, but due to inclement weather and unplayable field conditions, the game was moved to Sunday and was played on the campus of Appalachian Athletic Conference member Reinhardt University.

After a quiet first half, Milligan scored the game's first goal in the 75th minute when Charlie Betts passed the ball in the box to Jett Carter, who found the back of the net to get a 1-0 advantage. However, Milligan's goal did not hinder the Skyhawks scoring efforts as Point made six shot attempts in the last 15 minutes of action. On the sixth attempt, Eskew connected in the bottom-right corner of the net from across the box to send the match into overtime.

Carter had Milligan's lone shot attempt in the opening minutes of the first overtime, but Julio Gomes made the save to continue play. Eskew and Jeronimo Leguizamon made shot attempts in the first 10 minutes past regulation, but neither team scored, forcing the game into a second overtime period.

The second overtime began similarly to the first, as Milligan had the opening goal attempt but missed, and Eskew followed with another game-winning goal attempt, but the shot was wide. In the 106th minute, Sanz found Palacio, who scored the game-winning goal to help take down the reigning AAC regular-season champs.

Point outshot Milligan in every period of play, finishing the day with 22 shots, compared to Milligan's 15. The Skyhawks had nine shots on goal, with Leguizamon leading the way with five shot on goal attempts and led the team with eight shots on the day. Julien Sagnol and Eskew followed with three shot attempts apiece. Gomes finished the day with three saves.

"Beating the ninth-ranked team in the nation is a great result and shows what we are working towards," Wozniak said. "We aren't satisfied and will continue to stay focused on the next match as we take it game-by-game."

With Sunday's win, Point moved to 2-1-1 overall and 2-1 in AAC play. The Skyhawks will return to action on Wednesday, Sept. 22, at Tennessee Wesleyan University for another AAC matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.