CLEVELAND, Ga. (Oct. 26, 2019) – After honoring seniors Evan Gaffney, Clay Kelly and Clancy Loudermilk, the Truett McConnell University men's soccer team competed in their ninth overtime game of the season but came out on top 3-2 in double overtime against Appalachian Athletic Conference foe Columbia International University on Saturday. The Bears improved to 5-7-4, 4-3-3 AAC on the year.
 
It only took five minutes for Kelly to find the back of the net on his senior day. Kelly finished a blocked shot taken by teammate Cody Carnes that was deflected off the CIU defender to immediately put TMU out front 1-0. However, the Rams tied it back up a minute later (1-1) and then was capable of scoring again in the 11th minute (1-2) to put the Bears behind at halftime but that was the last time the Rams would score again.
 
Junior Dean Khan's free kick allowed sophomore Trevor Fick to head the equalizing goal past the CIU keeper in the 56th minute, which ultimately forced the game into overtime. Neither team was capable of scoring on a total of six shots in the first overtime period, however, the senior striker rose to the occasion. A perfect pass by Carnes found the feet of Kelly inside the 18. Kelly's strong finish in the 104th minute won TMU their fourth AAC game of the season on senior day (3-2), which was Kelly's fourth goal of the season.
 
Kelly led the way four shots, all on goal, while Jacopo Borgalli, Fick, Carnes and Dylan McKendry all added three shots apiece. Gaffney recorded a total of three saves on the day, which puts him at 284 for this career. Gaffney ranks 43rd in the NAIA for total saves on the year with 74.
 
Up next, the Bears are set to host St. Andrews University for their regular season finale on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 1:30 p.m.