Kimura Strikes Twice, Scores Overtime Winner To Beat UIU

Junior Haruki Kimura scored in the second half and in the seventh minute of overtime to lift the Ashland University men's soccer team to a come-from-behind 2-1 win over visiting Upper Iowa on Saturday (April 10) afternoon at Ferguson Field.
 
Kimura took a free kick from 30 yards out straight on goal and arced it under the crossbar and inside the left post to give the Eagles the win. Kimura sprinted to the other end of the field, abandoning his shirt and leaving his teammates to chase him down in the other penalty box in celebration.
 
"I had a practice yesterday and hit 10 free kicks in that same position, so I just did it the same as I practiced," Kimura said. "I didn't score any goals this season, so I had to score today."
 
The Eagles (2-4) fell behind in the 19^th minute as Upper Iowa (0-6) scored the opener with a through-ball played to Stan Cargill, who squared it for Tate Lofdahl. Lofdahl slid the ball past AU keeper Jakob Henriksen for the goal.
 
After the goal, the Eagles picked up their play and had the majority of the chances the rest of the game. Junior Brandon Davidson had a shot hit the woodwork twice later in the first half, smashing the underside of the crossbar and the right post before being cleared.
 
Freshman Rafael Pereira was a threat down the left side all game and the entire front line looked capable of scoring before Kimura finally broke through in the 57^th minute.
 
Senior Justin Libertowski took a ball to the end line and squared a pass for Kimura, who slotted home his first goal of the season to equalize.
 
The Eagles had a 24-8 edge in shots in the game and continued to threaten for winner, but were not able to produce the goal.
 
In the overtime, Pereira picked out Kimura with a ball through the middle and Alan Dunlop was forced to bring down Kimura with a foul to set up the game-winning free kick.
 
Two UIU goalkeepers combined for eight saves in the game while Henriksen stopped six shots for the Eagles.
 
The Eagles will now close the regular season next Sunday (April 18) when they travel to Davenport for a 2 p.m. kickoff.