It doesn’t pay to be a hero.

Freshman Andy Lane scored the goal of his life yesterday to give the NIU soccer team a dramatic 1-0 double overtime win over New Mexico at Huskie Soccer Field.

But by the time Lane got into the locker room, his teammates had already eaten all the complimentary Domino’s Pizza.

“I knew the pizza was there,” Lane said. “But I didn’t get in quick enough, I guess—I was socializing. I thought someone would save me at least a couple slices.”

Lane hit a 20-yard bomb from the right side with just 4:43 left in the second 15 minute overtime period—with an assist from midfielder Dave Weichman—to give the Huskies their third straight victory.

“It had to have been one of the hardest shots I’ve hit,” a smiling Lane said.

Weichman chased down a deep pass from Jim Hall while fighting off a Lobos’ defender to set up the goal. “You’re allowed to push off as long as your arm is down,” Weichman said.

Weichman pushed hard enough to beat his defender and hit the crisp pass. Forward John Kelly had the first shot at the ball, but missed. Lane didn’t.

“I saw John,” Weichman said. “I also saw Andy behind him, so I knew if John didn’t get it, Andy would.”

The Huskies, now 3-1-1, beat two elements—the Lobos, 4-3-1, and the quickly diminishing sun light.

The NIU defense, which got its second consecutive shutout, outplayed the powerful New Mexico offense in its most physical match this year.

“Our defense is the strength of our team,” a bloody Frank Sparacino said. “We got caught sleeping a couple times, but luckily they didn’t score. New Mexico is ranked right below us in our region, so it was a big win for us.”

Sparacino suffered a cut inside his mouth at the end of regulation. NIU midfielder Todd Moore also suffered a bruised knee and Lobos’ goalie Easy Jimenez was knocked out of the match in the second half with a concussion. Jimenez was kicked above his eye by forward John Lechner while both were going for a loose ball. Jimenez was down for over 20 minutes and had to be removed by an ambulance.

New Mexico’s star forward Matt Ladendorf set the tempo early in the match by sliding into Dusty Showers’ ankle. “That was clearly an intentional foul,” NIU coach Willy Roy said. “(Ladendorf) is just hurting his team because he got his fifth yellow (card) today so he can’t play in their next match.”

The Lobos had the first real opportunity to win the match with 9:08 left in the first overtime. Jeff Gregorio hit a cross pass from the left side and Mike Stratie smashed the ball which was deflected away by NIU goalie Markus Roy.

“He just hit it right into my hands,” Markus said. “That was their best chance.”