Bertilsson's blast gives Lions first win in OT thriller

MARS HILL, N.C. - Sebastian Bertilsson's second goal of the season downed the King Tornado (0-3-0) to give Mars Hill (1-1-1) their first win of the season Wednesday night inside the Ammons Family Athletic Center and Meares Stadium.

Entering their second overtime game of the season, a free kick opportunity from just outside of the box allowed Bertilsson to play hero on the evening.  Rushing from his left, the junior forward hammered the ball with his right foot and put the shot just under the crossbar and inside the far post, past the extended Dalton Gammon to send the Mars Hill fan base home happy with the first win of the season just 4:46 into the overtime frame.

Following a scoreless first half that saw the Lions outshoot the Tornado 5-2, Mars Hill continued to put on the pressure early in the second half.  In the 65th minute, senior midfielder Joakim Lien notched his second goal of the season, heading home a corner kick to give the Lions a 1-0 advantage.  Roberto Haddad picked up the assist, placing the ball perfectly near the far post, allowing for Lien to get a head on it and drive it past Gammon.

The lead was short-lived as just less than eight minutes later, King tied the game on a two-on-one rush.  Driving past a fallen defender, Ben Delisle found the charging Callum Davidson and feathered a pass to his right where Davidson corraled the ball and chipped it high inside the near post to knot the game at one.

Mars Hill had a couple of chances in the dying minutes of regulation, but key team blocks and saves made by Gammon allowed King to push the contest into the overtime period.

The Lions outshot King 20-10 in the contest as Tatum Cartner led all players with five.  Brennan Whalen made two saves to pick up his first collegiate win.

Mars Hill returns to action on Wednesday, September 18th as they open up South Atlantic Conference play versus Lenoir-Rhyne on the road.  The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start.