The game began for the Hornets without their leading offensive player. Then they lost their freshman phenom. Then another player went down. Then another. One by one, the men’s soccer team withered down to its backups on Friday afternoon against UNLV but in the end, it didn’t matter as the Hornets (9-6-1, 4-4-0) beat the Rebels (2-14-0, 0-7-0) 2-1 in overtime.

With leading point getter junior Oscar Sandoval sitting out the match, freshman Jeff Buddenbohn lasting just over a half, junior Eric Ortiz going down on a blatant foul that earned only a mere yellow card, and freshman Josh Zimbrich going down after being taken down by the same player who ended Ortiz’s day, the Hornets not only weathered the storm but brought a late offensive tempest of their own on the Rebels. First, with two minutes left in the match, sophomore Brandon Baggett who had replaced Zimbrich took the ball down the left sideline until he and the defender reached the end line where both fell to the ground. Baggett scurried to his feet and sent a cross to a crowd of players. Eliot Ricks-Chambers was there and headed the ball just past the outstretched hands of the UNLV goalkeeper Brett Hafeman for the equalizing goal.

“It feels like a thousand pounds have been lifted off my shoulders,” Ricks-Chambers said. “I’ve just wanted to contribute to this team with points, today I finally did that.”

According to head coach Mike Linenberger, Ricks-Chambers provided more than just the tying goal. “When Eliot went in the game turned,” Linenberger said. “He brought a lot of energy and he never quit working.”

Then with less than a minute remaining in extra time, senior Ricky Rodriguez sent a through ball to junior Ryan Rhoads who sprinted out on a breakaway. While trying to put the game away, Rhoads was taken down by Hafeman on his way to the net. For his actions, earned a red card and was dismissed from the match with a penalty kick ensuing. With a fresh keeper entered into the match, senior Marco Ramirez placed the ball in the left corner for the game-winner with 12 seconds remaining.

Despite the win, the Hornets face an uphill battle.

“Losing (Eric) Ortiz is a big loss for us,” junior captain Utodi Madu said. “But others will just have to step up and lift us up in the upcoming games.”

Next up for the Hornets, who remain undefeated at home with a record of 7-0-0, are the No. 2-ranked New Mexico Lobos who come to Hornet Soccer Field on Sunday for a match at 1 p.m.