Bronx, N.Y. – After a thrilling 3-3 draw at the end of regulation and two sudden death overtime periods, Lehman College men's soccer team defeated visiting Hunter College, 5-3, on penalty kicks during a CUNYAC Tournament Quarterfinal encounter on Wednesday evening at South Field.

Third seeded Lehman will now take on second seeded Baruch College in the CUNYAC Semifinals at Brooklyn College this Saturday.

"We went down 2-0 early in the first half and I told the boys to just play to feet and keep pushing," said Lehman head coach Toma Gojcevic.  "The second half we played really well.  The final 70 minutes I thought we were the better team.  The late comeback shows their spirits which I knew they had.  We've been just waiting for them to show it all year and it was a perfect time to do it."

The sixth seeded Hunter jumped out to a 2-0 halftime lead over Lehman after tallies from midfielder Adam Pine and forward Blaise Enama in the 18^th and 25^th minutes, respectively.

The Lightning got on the board in the 57^th minute off a goal from midfielder Mubarack Ouro who's low shot from left side got past Hawks goalkeeper Noah Dougherty.

Midfielder Omar Moro tied the match, 2-2, for Lehman in the 76^th minute off an assist from defender Abdu Tchakoura.

A penalty kick goal from defender Michael Merlo gave Hunter a 3-2 advantage in 82^nd minute, however two minutes later, Moro notched his second tally of the match to even the score-line (3-3).

With no goals at the end overtime periods, the postseason match would be decided on penalty kick shootouts. 

The shootout remained tied after two rounds of kicks, when Moro notched Lehman's third shot for a 3-2 lead.  Hunter's third attempt from midfielder Nikola Ristovic was saved by Lightning's goalkeeper Chris Mulholland.

After each team exchanged tallies in the fourth round, midfielder Marcus Folks scored the winning penalty kick for Lehman in the 5-3 triumph.

"I knew we had it in us after being down 2-0," said Mulholland after the match.  "I wasn't sure it would come out tonight for us, but I'm glad we came back and we played well as a team in the second half and overtime."