MONTOGMERY, Ala. - It took 109 minutes and 42.4 seconds for Faulkner to earn the 1-0 victory over Southern States Athletic Conference foe Bethel here tonight at John Mark Stallings Field, but no one would have had it any other way. After a physical and rather even-keeled battle through regulation and a pair of overtimes the Eagles delivered the knockout blow with just 17.6 seconds hanging in the air.

"We have them on the ropes," head coach Kyle Beard told his team before the first overtime, "we have to keep on the gas. Don't panic, play smart and you've got it. You know where they're going to go with the ball so be ready. Let's win this game."

The dramatic victory could very easily have been a checkmark in the tie column and no one would have been surprised. With less then 50 seconds to go the ball was resting on the turf at the far end of the field awaiting a goal kick. In addition, both teams had fought fiercely through the contest to gain the upper hand, but the usual erratic shots coupled with both lucky and terrible breaks aligned themselves perfectly with stellar defensive efforts to keep both sides searching for solutions. So, it would have been understandable for Faulkner to embrace the stalemate as the clock dropped below 25 seconds when it gained possession for the final time just passed mid field. It's in those final moments, however, in those fleeting ticks of the clock that great players rise to the challenge and heroes are born.

A great deal transpired in less than 10 seconds, but this much is certain: it took Jarom Farnsworth two seconds to cross the ball to the far side of the field where Costandinos Whitehead took control, and another four seconds for Whitehead to scramble seven yards up field and deliver a beautiful low cross back to Farnsworth at the near post. One second later and the ball tumbled its way under the diving goalkeeper and into history.

The cross

The goal

The Victory

The victory catapulted the Eagles into new territory yet again. It was the program's first win over Bethel and its third regular season league win - a program best.

Diego da Silva (8-4-1) logged five saves in the shutout.

"I could not possibly be prouder of you guys," Beard told his Eagles after the win. "I was proud when I thought we were going to get the tie. This is overwhelming. You are now playing at the level we talked about and we can continue to get better. I want some more wins. How about you?"

Faulkner improved to 8-5-1 overall and 3-3 in the SSAC. The Eagles next host No. 25 Mobile in league action on Thursday at 7 p.m.

A team with heart