TERRE HAUTE, IND. -- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology advanced to the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Tournament for the second time in three years and the third time in program history with a 1-0 double overtime victory over Transylvania University on Saturday.
Senior Drew Belk (Jasper) scored 16 seconds into the second overtime to give Rose-Hulman the HCAC Championship. Belk dribbled twice in the box and around one defender to create space for a shot, which went into the left corner of the net.
For his efforts, Belk was named HCAC Tournament Most Valuable Player.
The Fightin' Engineers outshot Transylvania 15-7 overall in the match, including 9-2 in shots on goal. Belk and senior Ben Green (Frisco, Texas/Centennial) led the offense with four shots each. Senior William Senat (Edmond, Okla./North) added three shots.
Transylvania had two excellent scoring chances in the contest, one in each half of regulation. Eric Froschauer had a header directly in front of goal, but junior Drew Miller (Cincinnati, Ohio/Bishop Fenwick) made a key save to keep the match scoreless.
In the second half, Kyle Smith narrowly missed a shot over the top of the goal. Miller recorded two saves in the match and the Fightin' Engineer defense recorded its school record 11th shutout in the match to secure an NCAA Tournament trip.
Rose-Hulman's best scoring chance in regulation came off a corner kick late in the first half. Freshman Nick Kowalkowski (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln Way) gained control and blasted a shot just high of Transylvania goalkeeper Taylor Nossokoff, who recorded eight saves in the match.
The Fightin' Engineers advance to their second NCAA Division III Tournament in the past three years with the victory. Rose-Hulman previously won the HCAC Tournament title and made NCAA Tournament appearances in 2008 and 2011.
Rose-Hulman improved to 11-5-4 on the season and will find out its NCAA Division III Tournament destination with the bracket is released on Monday at 1 p.m. on ncaa.com. Transylvania completed the season with a 12-5-3 record.
