The Blackburn College Men's Soccer Team opened up the 2017 campaign with a 2-2 double overtime tie against Rockford Coilege on Friday afternoon in non-conference soccer action in Carlinville.  This was the first time since 2010 that the Beavers did not open the season with a loss.

Early in the contest, Rockford scored on a goal by Jonathan Hernandez in the third minute of the match, Brandon Oeltjenbruns was credited with the assist. The Regents held the lead until late in the half when Brendan Schrage knocked in a rebounded shot for his first collegiate goal, there was no assist on the goal. Schrage's goal came in the 43rd minute of the half.  The match was tied at halftime 1-1.

The first 30 minutes of the second half were scoreless until Gaige Cervantes drilled a goal from near the top of the box to give Rockford the 2-1 lead. Hernandez was credited with the assist.

Then late in the match Rockford was whistled for a foul in the box on a free kick that led to a penalty kick.  Reed Gwillim tied the match on the penalty kick in the 86th minute of the match.

After two ten-minute overtimes the match remained a draw.

Rockford out-shot Blackburn 25-12 and notched twelve corner kicks to three for Blackburn.

"I was really proud of the way the guys played for each other, it was a day where soccer-wise we didn't play that well but we grinded and gutted out a tie," said Blackburn Coach Rob Steinkuehler.

The Beavers return to action on Sunday at Cornell College in Iowa.