ATHENS, Tenn. - As the regular season winds down for CIU men's soccer, the Rams traveled to west for an important game against Tennessee Wesleyan. 

The Bulldogs (8-1-5, 7-1-2 AAC) are one of three teams that received votes in this week's NAIA Top 25 Coaches poll and currently hold the top spot in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) standings. Prior to the contest, CIU had the 6th place spot, looking for a win to propel them above some of the teams with similar records.

With a 2-2 score entering the final three minutes of play, CIU's Michael Abongo put in the game-winner on an assist from Sohya Yamamoto, taking down the top-seeded Bulldogs 3-2 in Tennessee. 

Scoring Summary: 
CIU took an early lead on the Bulldogs as Daniel Ospina found the net for the 5th time this season in the 4' minute. However, after the game settled, TWU would tie things up with a goal from Jarimyah Cook in the 23' minute. The game would enter halftime knotted up at 1-1. 

The Rams would strike first again in the second frame with a goal from Igor Eduardo, assisted by Sohya Yamamoto to take the lead back. Soon after, Wynand Wessels of the Bulldogs put in the equalizer on a penalty kick after a foul on the Rams, moving the score to 2-2. 

Then, with under three minutes of play remaining and the score still even, CIU's Michael Abongo put in a game-winner on an assist from Sohya Yamamoto to take the win over the Bulldogs. The Rams improved to 8-2-3 and 7-1-2 in conference play. 

What Coach Bill Brindley is saying: 
"Gutsy win for our guys tonight. That was an important one for conference play, and I'm proud of the resolve our guys played showed fighting until the final minutes to steal a win." 

Up Next: 
CIU will host St. Andrews (N.C.)  for senior night on Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 7 PM.