Box Score
CHARLESTON, S.C. --- The College of Charleston men's soccer team (4-5-3, 1-3-1) won its first CAA match of the season on Saturday evening, erasing a 3-0 deficit to take down Delaware (1-10-1, 0-6) in extra time, 4-3. 

It was all Delaware in the first half. The Blue Hens got on the board first, as the home team took a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute. In the 34th and 36th minutes, Delaware scored back-to-back goals to extend its advantage to 3-0. 

The Delaware lead was trimmed down right before the half. In the 43rd minute, Jakob Kristensen found the back of the net, with assists being credited to Lucas Cedermark and Conner Walmsley. The goal got the Cougars on the scoreboard in the first period, and CofC trailed 3-1 entering the halftime break.

The second half was quiet until Charleston began to threaten. In the 71st minute, Jake Nicholson and Conner Walmsley set up Kane Ritchie who scored the second goal of the night for the Cougars. With just under twenty minutes remaining, CofC trailed 3-2. 

That was until Delaware committed a costly penalty in the 82nd minute. CofC was then awarded a penalty kick with the opportunity to even up the score late in regulation. Jake Nicholson took that opportunity and ran with it, drilling the penalty kick opportunity for the equalizing goal. The remaining eight minutes of regulation trickled down and the match went to extra time tied at 3-3. 

Less than two minutes into extra time, the Cougars found a little bit of magic once again. Cas Van Altena was awarded a free kick near midfield following a Delaware foul. Van Altena sent a long pass towards the box, and senior Nick Burnz rose up and headed it past the Delaware keeper for an incredible game-winning goal. The Cougars came all the way back from down 3-0, forced extra time, and then escaped Delaware with the dramatic victory. 

The win improves Charleston's record to 4-5-3 overall and 1-3-1 in CAA play.

Key Cougars

• The goal by Burnz was his second of the season, while Van Altena also picked up his second assist
• Kane Ritchie now has five goals this season to lead Charleston
• Jake Nicholson notched his first goal of the season, while adding two assists. His three points led all CofC players in the match
• Jakob Kristensen's goal was his third of the 2021 campaign
• Conner Walmsley totaled two assists, tied for the most in one game this season by a Charleston player

Game Notes

• In three of its last four matches, the Cougars have either won on golden goals or scored in the final minute of regulations
• This was the first time CofC has defeated Delaware. The Cougars were 0-5-3 against the Blue Hens entering Saturday's match
• Charleston tallied five assists on its four goals

Up Next

• The Cougars will be back in action on Saturday, October 23 as CofC returns home to take on UNCW on senior day. The match will begin at 7:00 p.m.