FREDERICK, Md. - In front of a loud and proud homecoming crowd, Eric Diehl (Gaithersburg, Md. / Damascus) sent everyone home happy as he scored the game-winning goal against Arcadia in the 103rd minute. 

With the win the Hood College men's soccer team got off to a great start in conference play, as this was the Commonwealth Conference opener for both squads. 

With seven minutes to go in the second overtime, the 2012 All-Commonwealth Conference first team member got the ball and dribbled through the defense across the field and let go a shot from inside the left side of the box. The ball beat Knight keeper Seth Shoap, hit the right post before crossing the line, sending the Blazer team and faithful into a frenzy. 

Hood took the 1-0 lead in the 37th minute, when Nicholas Chalk (Frederick, Md. / Tuscarora) put his head on a Joseph Benton (Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Cumberland Valley) free kick and past the diving Shoap. It was Chalk's first career point and gave the Blazers a 1-0 lead heading into the second half. 

Hood continued to apply the pressure and seemed to have scored a second goal, but it was waved off when a foul was called for bumping into the keeper. Shoap played a strong game, making five saves, and kept his team within one goal. 

Arcadia finally scored the equalizer when Joseph Bertucci lofted up a prayer from the left side that just snuck in the far post in the 71st minute. 

Both teams continued to press and answered each opportunity with one of their own, until Diehl scored his second goal of the year.

Hood outshot Arcadia 25-20, and keeper Ryan Deuber (Timonium, Md. / Dulaney) made six saves in the win. 

The Blazers evened the overall series with Arcadia 1-1, with the Knights winning the first ever meeting 3-0. 

Hood continues the conference schedule with a tilt against the defending national champions, the Messiah College Falcons, on October 8.