FREDERICK, Md.--Junior Chris Mendez of the Hood College men's soccer team (4-5) pocketed a penalty kick with 1:18 left in the first overtime period to propel the Blazers to a thrilling come-from-behind 2-1 triumph over visiting Shenandoah University (3-5-1) Tuesday afternoon.

The Blazers had been held scoreless by the Hornets in all three previous encounters and finally broke through today with a pair of goals to register their first win ever over their regional rivals.

Mendez, Hood's leading scorer on the year, scored both Blazer goals to boost his season total to seven. The midfielder from Ronkonkoma, N.Y., headed in a pass from Jaime Ramirez in the 65th minute to knot the score at 1-1. In the opening stanza, Shenandoah's Kevin Kupris converted a cross from Carlos Ramos in the 23rd minute for the game's first score.

Hood nearly had a chance to win it in the final minute of regulation when junior Conor Prachar fired a shot with 40 seconds left but it was corralled by Hornet keeper Adrian Acosta.

Playing their second overtime contest of the season, the Blazers would not be denied this time as Mendez was awarded a penalty kick in the 99th minute after Acosta interfered with his attempt to score. Mendez booted his PK past the outstretched arms of Acosta into the lower left corner of the net.

The win was the Blazers' fourth of 2010, which surpasses Hood's win total from the 2009 season. Keeper Will Lane collected three saves and evened his record in the net at 4-4.

Hood next travels to Mt. Aloysius Monday for a 4 p.m. tilt.