Box Score

BILLINGS, Mont. — The Crusaders have found success in overtime, so why not try it once again.

The Northwest Nazarene men's soccer team shook off a goal by host Montana State Billings in the final minute, regrouped and won it on Michael Mollay's penalty kick, topping the Yellowjackets 4-3 in overtime in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action Saturday.

"I was proud of the guys tonight," NNU head coach Joel DeLass said. "A win at MSU Billings is very difficult to come by and we managed to overcome a lot of adversity today. "We've got a group of guys who regardless of the situation are always going to battle."

Mollay's overtime winner — his second straight as the Crusaders (6-3-3 overall, 3-1-2 GNAC) were playing their fifth straight overtime contest — thwarted a dramatic comeback by the host school, which scored twice in the final 11:20 of the game to force the extra session.

And it helped NNU overcome playing a man down the final 11 minutes of regulation and throughout the overtime session.

"Thankfully we were able to find a way to win even though we were down a man for so long," DeLass said. "It's a testament to the group we have this year."

MSU Billings (6-4-3, 2-2-3) jumped up 1-0 in the first 3:38 of the game, then it was all Crusaders.

Logan Wood finished off a Mollay cross in the 31^st minute, then a mere 16 seconds later, Mollay stole a pass on the ensuing kick-off and blasted a shot into the net for a 2-1 NNU advantage.

Fernando Alvarez made it a 3-1 contest when he scored from 20 yards out with 26:05 remaining, and it looked like Crusaders were well in control.

Then came the Jackets late charge as Julien Dragomir scored with 11:20 remaining, and with just 52 seconds left on the clock he scored again, tying it at 3-3.

Riding that momentum, MSU Billings tried to break the tie with a couple of quick shots in overtime, but NNU goalkeeper Ryan Foo was up to the test as he finished with nine save in the win.

A win secured when Dennis Vivar-Diaz was fouled in the Yellowjackets goal box leading to the decisive penalty kick that Mollay booted home.

NNU now returns home to host Seattle Pacific on Thursday at 4:15 p.m. at Finkbeiner Park in a battle for second place in the GNAC race.