DEKALB, Ill. – Sophomore Logan Hatter (Avon, Ind./Avon) played the role of hero on Friday night at the Northern Illinois University men's soccer team defeated Stetson, 2-1, in double overtime in the NIU adidas Invitational. Hatter's 102nd minute goal completed the comeback as the Huskies remain perfect at home this season. 

"Delighted with the result," said NIU head coach Ryan Swan. "I thought we played really well in the first half, but didn't quite find the breakthrough. Stetson came out very good in the second (half), I was a little disappointed in our performance. After we went down a goal there was tremendous spirit from the guys, a lot of belief to find an equalizer.

"I fancy this team just now, when it goes into overtime we are pretty fit and I think there is a belief and a desire to find winners. Logan Hatter stepping up big again for us in overtime with a tremendous finish."

The victory was NIU's second in overtime this season as the Huskies won the season opener against DePaul in overtime (Aug. 25), Hatter provided the game-winning assist on that night. 

NIU (2-2) went behind in the 65th minute as Brock Exline rose highest to head home a free kick from out wide from Jared Huber as Stetson (1-3) took a 1-0 lead. 

As the game approached the 90th minute, the Huskies pushed for the equalizer and the chance would come in the 87th minute from the penalty spot. Freshman Alex Welch (Carmarthen, Wales/King's College Madrid) stepped up and slotted the ball past Stetson goalkeeper Joseph Melong from 12 yards to bring NIU level. 

Late in a first overtime that yielded very little in the way of chances, sophomore Christian Molina (Katy, Texas/Mayde Creek) cut inside and had a look at goal, but his shot went well high as the game went to a second overtime. 

In the second extra period, the Huskies possessed the ball down the left wing and the ball found the feet of junior Noah Brodie (Scottsdale, Ariz./Carbondale Community) who laid it off into the path of Hatter. The sophomore transfer from Liberty found space and whistled a low shot inside the far post past Melong to spark wild celebrations as the Huskies won in overtime for the second consecutive home game. 

The goal was the first for Hatter in his collegiate career.  

NIU made an outstanding start to the contest as sophomore Jan Maertins (Rheinfelden, Germany/ Georg-Buechner Gym) had two outstanding chances inside the first five minutes. 

In the third minute, Maertins was played in on goal by Molina and Melong made an outstanding save with his feet to keep the contest scoreless. Two minutes later Maertins had a chance from five yards that Melong tipped over the bar for a corner. 

As Stetson settled into the game, the Hatters forced a pair of saves from senior Drew Donnally (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North) in the opening 45 minutes as the contest went to the intermission tied, 0-0. 

Donnally closed the match with four saves in goal for the Huskies; Melong finished with a pair of saves for Stetson. 

The Huskies will conclude play in the NIU adidas Invitational on Sunday, Sept. 10, when they host Texas Rio Grande Valley at 1:30 p.m.