INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Francisco Agrest sent a penalty kick goal past Butler goalkeeper Gabriel Gjergji in the second overtime period to lift the Columbia men's soccer team over the No. 11 ranked team in the country, 2-1.
 
With today's win in the Indianapolis heat, Columbia evens their record to 1-1, while the Bulldogs fall to 1-2-1.

"It was certainly a game that tested both groups ability to focus in extreme conditions," said Columbia head coach Kevin Anderson. "We used some of our depth which showed itself as very positive and influential."
 
After a scoreless first half in which Columbia out-shot Butler 8-4, the Bulldogs were quick to get on the scoreboard in the second. Less than two minutes into the frame, Brandon Guhl sent a cross to Derek Sutton, who put it away to give the home team a 1-0 lead.
 
Butler would keep the pressure on after the Sutton score, with five shots over the next 12 minutes, two of which were on frame and saved by senior Dylan Castanheira.
 
Columbia would get the offense going however, thanks to the efforts of junior John Denis. In the 65th minute, Nike Azuma delivered a ball to Denis, who beat his defender then finished on the left side of the net to tie the match, 1-1.
 
In the final 20 minutes of action, the Lions would not surrender a shot and have four looks at goal. Andrew Stevens had an attempt go wide in the 70th minute, while Sebastian Gunbeyi had a header saved by Butler's Gjergji in the 77th. Gunbeyi had another attempt saved in the 86th minute, just seconds before Stevens followed but was denied by Gjergji, as the teams went to an extra frame, tied at 1-1.
 
During the first extra period, the Bulldogs were able to out-shoot the Lions 4-1, however they were unable to connect on any of their attempts. Kynan Rocks sent a shot towards net halfway through the first overtime, but it sailed over the cross bar.
 
After Agrest had a shot go wide of frame in the 106th minute, he finally got his chance in the second overtime period when Rocks was fouled in the box, setting up the penalty kick. The Columbia senior was true, sending the ball past Gjergji and into the back of the net for the game-winner.

"A fantastic save by Dylan kept us in the game and then Kynan gets in behind o draw the PK and Frankie finishes it," said Anderson. "That was our senior players really coming up big in big moments. It was a very good result for us and we know we must continue to move forward as a team."

For the match, Denis and Agrest scored their first goals of the season, which was the 11th of Denis' career and the ninth for Agrest. Castanheira picked up the win in net, stopping four shots along the way.

The Lions are back in action on Friday, Sept. 7 at Army, before hosting Binghamton at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 10.