MEADVILLE, Pa. – Michael Tanchevski's goal with seven minutes left in double overtime lifted visiting Wabash to a 1-0 win over the Gators in North Coast Athletic Conference action at Frank B. Fuhrer Field.

In an evenly-matched game throughout, Tanchevski popped a ball just inside the cross bar from 10 yards out to decide the double-overtime affair.

Despite the low score, both teams had plenty of offensive chances, as Wabash (9-1-1, 2-0 NCAC) totaled 17 shots, and the Gators (3-6-1, 0-1-1) 14.  Both keepers were busy, also, as Allegheny's Nick Ferriera made eight saves, and the Little Giants Chad Wunderlich seven.

The match was back-and-forth from the start. Ferreira was tested for the first time in the ninth minute, gobbling up a free kick attempt from 40 yards out, before the Gators had their first substantial scoring chance a little over a minute later, when Wunderlich punched away a Liam McKersie header in traffic off of a long throw in.

Ferreira would come up with a pair of saves on similar plays in the 14th and 22nd minutes, stopping headers off of long entries from less than five yards out each time.

The teams traded possession in the middle third of the field for much of the middle stages of the half, before the Gators had their best chance to find the scoreboard later in the frame. With just over two minutes left, McKersie unleashed a pair of shots that were blocked from five yards out. Off the second deflection, Jesus Robledo launched a blast on goal, but Wudnerlich made a diving save to punch it out of bounds. The Gators would come up empty on the ensuing corner kick, and the teams entered the intermission in a scoreless tie.

Following the break, Wabash looked to control play, with six shots and five corner kicks in the opening 23 minutes of the second half. Ferreira would make three more saves over the span, while another Wabash attempt clanged off the post, and the match remained scoreless.

With 17 minutes to go, Allegheny had another chance for the all-important first goal. Kristian Snyder broke through the Wabash backline and sent a header on goal from less than five yards out, but Wunderlich fully extended to his right to make the big save.

Less than five minutes later, the Gators' Jon Sion was sprung on a breakaway, but his shot from 15 yards out was also stopped by the Little Giants' keeper.
 

Allegheny had one more scoring chance in the second half, but Nick Talliani's header off of a free kick with three minutes left went just wide, and the game would head into overtime.

Four minutes into the first extra session, Talliani had another chance, but his left-footed shot on the run was stopped by Wunderlich. Ferreira also just touched the ball once in the first OT, making a save on a long, bouncing shot from between the hashes 25 yards out.

The only shot of the second overtime was Tanchevski's game-winner. Following a Gator foul, the Little Giants' free kick from 30 yards out went into traffic. Tanchevski picked up the bouncing ball, made a move to avoid a defender, stopped, turned, and popped the shot just to the upper left corner of the goal and just inside the crossbar for the golden goal.

McKersie led Allegheny with four shots on the day, while Talliani and Danny Reid were credited with two apiece.

At halftime, Allegheny recognized the 1978 Gator men's soccer team, which went 10-0-1 overall, and won the Presidents' Athletic Conference championship with a 6-0-1 conference mark. Seventeen members of the team, as well as head coach Tom Erdos, were present for the ceremony at midfield. 

The Gators will look to bounce back from the tough defeat on Tuesday, Oct. 2, when they host Washington & Jefferson at 7:30 p.m. at Frank B. Fuhrer Field.