Matt Nevin scored his second goal of the game 3:18 into overtime to give

King’s final tally of 13 goals was the most by a Muhlenberg player since 1997.

the Wesleyan men’s soccer team a 3-2 win over Muhlenberg in the first round of the NCAA Division III Championships.

The Cardinals (10-5-3), making their first NCAA appearance, advance to face top-ranked and undefeated Messiah in the second round on Saturday.

Nevin’s sudden-victory goal ended a contest in which the Mules (13-6) twice came back from one-goal deficits by scoring late in each half. Wesleyan opened the scoring with 8:04 left in the first half, but with just a minute on the clock, sophomore Karim Assous headed in a cross from senior Christopher King to tie the score at 1-1.

Early in the second half, Peter Glidden headed in Nevin’s pass off a short corner to give Wesleyan a 2-1 lead. The score remained that way for

Henshaw was robbed by Cardinal goalie Matt Gnall twice, once late in the first half and once early in the second.

more than 30 minutes, until King one-timed a shot to the upper-right corner of the net for his 13th goal with 2:30 to play in regulation.

The game bore a similarity to Muhlenberg’s first-round game two years ago against another New England school, Gordon. The Mules tied that one, 2-2, on a penalty kick with five minutes left, then went on to advance in the tournament by winning a shootout.

Wesleyan made sure this game did not go to penalty kicks, controlling the ball for the entire overtime period.

“It was a great battle. Hat’s off to Muhlenberg,” said Geoff Wheeler, the Cardinals’ head coach. “In a game like this, it’s hard being in a hole, and they did it twice. So I’m happy to come out of here with a win.”

The game was delayed 75 minutes by lightning and heavy rain and was played in muddy conditions.

“We fought hard and had our chances,” said James Henshaw, one of eight Muhlenberg seniors playing his final game. “It’s a shame it had to end.”

Click here for box score.