Bossman Delivers Game-Winner in Double Overtime

The Anderson University men's soccer team saw itself entering double overtime for the third straight game on Wednesday. This time it was against the Earlham College Quakers on the AU Soccer Fields for Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day in a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) match-up. Jordan Bossman (Gahanna, Ohio / Westerville North) proved to be the man of the game, leading the Ravens to a 2-1 victory.

First half action saw offensive pressure from both sides of the field. Both teams recorded a shot within the first 10 minutes of the match, with the Ravens' (4-6-2, 1-0-2) going just right and the Quakers' (0-10, 0-3) shot being saved by Josh Brown (Thompson's Station, Tenn. / Columbia Academy). A battle ensued between the two teams, both applying offensive and defensive pressure on the other team. As the half was ending, it seemed as the game was going to go into halftime tied 0-0, but the Quakers had different plans. Patrick Elster of Earlham shot the bar from far out, sending the ball past the Ravens defense as it bounced into the goal. Heading into halftime, the Ravens trailed the Quakers 1-0.

The Ravens came out strong in the second half, firing off four shots in the first five minutes. From that point on, the battle continued between the Ravens and Quakers as it became a physical game. Between the 61^st and 68^th minute, six fouls were called between the two teams, leading to multiple free kicks.

Then, in the 69^th minute the game tying goal came for the Ravens. The play started with Dalton Grubbs (Carmel, Ind. / Carmel) receiving the ball on the right side of the field after making an overlapping run. Grubbs then got the ball past his defender and crossed the ball on the ground to Usman Kamara (Indianapolis, Ind. / Franklin Central). Kamara's attempt was blocked by a Quaker defender, but fortunately for the Ravens, the ball bounced into Jordan Bossman's direction. Bossman took a one touch shot to send the ball into the back of the net between the keepers' hands and the right goal post. With 21 minutes remaining, the game was tied up 1-1.

Anderson shots and fouls from both sides filled the remaining minutes. The Ravens took five shots to try to secure the victory, but fell short in regulation. For the third straight HCAC game, the Ravens found themselves playing extra soccer.

The first 10 minutes of overtime would come and go with neither team finding the back of the net. The Ravens took three opportunities, while the Quakers took one. Two of the Ravens' three shots were saved by Quaker goalkeeper Tyler Smith, while Josh Brown saved the Quakers' only shot.

With 10 minutes remaining in the game, The Ravens had all eyes on goal. Then, in the 105^th minute, Brayden Humbert (Brownsburg, Ind. / Brownsburg) made an over-the-top pass from behind the half-field line to a running Usman Kamara. Kamara took a jumping touch to get the ball past the last defender. Earlham goalkeeper Tyler Smith made a huge initial save for the Quakers to keep Kamara from scoring. After that, the Quakers would attempt to clear the ball, but Jordan Bossman was there to intercept the pass inside the 18-yard box. Bossman took one more touch to bring the ball towards the corner of the 6-yard box, then fired the shot into the opposite, lower left corner of the goal for a Ravens golden goal victory!

The Ravens ended the game with a total of 21 shots compared to the Quakers six. 12 of the Ravens shots were on goal while five of the Quakers were. Usman Kamara led the Ravens with six shots, four on goal. He was followed by Caleb Gonser (Terre Haute, Ind. / Terre Haute South) with five shots, one on goal. Then it was Jordan Bossman, who hit each of his four shots on frame, and found the back of the net twice. Matthew Murray (Indianapolis, Ind. / Pike) and Victor Silva (Paramount, Calif. / St. Matthias Catholic) each had two shots, with both of Murray's on frame. Rounding out the Ravens shots were Drew Vaughn (Beavercreek, Ohio / Beavercreek) and Dalton Grubbs each taking one shot and hitting it on frame. Usman Kamara and Dalton Grubbs each produced assists. Jaxon Gillig (Carmel, Ind. / Carmel) and Drew Vaughn both picked up three intercepts for the Ravens and Caleb Opoku (Columbus, Ohio / Worthington) made three steals against the Quakers.

Head Coach Scott Fridley had the following to say after the match: "I am proud of the boys for not giving up. After getting down one in the first half and playing pretty well, we made some chances for us to find success in the backend of the game. Jordan [Bossman] is a smooth player and does a great job of finding opportunities. I think Usman [Kamara] created a lot of issues for their defense. Those are three tough points to get."

Anderson will be back in action on Saturday, hosting the Mount St. Joseph University Lions (2-9, 1-2) for Homecoming day. The match is set to start at 3PM on the AU Soccer Fields. Before the game, the men's and women's team will be having a ribbon cutting ceremony at 1:45PM on the AU Soccer Fields to mark the completion of Stage 1 of the AU Soccer Stadium project.