GRANTHAM, Pa – Jake Cargill headed in a cross from Josh Richards in the first minute of the second sudden death overtime to give Rochester a 2-1 victory over Wesleyan University in the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championships at Messiah College.

The win puts the Yellowjackets into the Elite 8 of the tournament. This is the farthest the Yellowjackets have ever advanced in NCAA tournament play.

Rochester will play top-ranked Messiah College at 6 pm Sunday for the right to advance to the Final Four. Messiah rallied from a 2-0 halftime deficit to defeat Johns Hopkins, 3-2, also in overtime.

“It was a great soccer match,” said Rochester head coach Chris Apple. “It was very exciting and back and forth.”

Wesleyan took a 1-0 lead at 15:14 when Keisuke Yamashita steered home a pass from Nick Whipple.

Early in the second half, Cargill created a chance for Rochester to equalize. His cross found J.J. Dennstedt in the center of the goalmouth but Wesleyan keeper Adam Purdy got to the ball just ahead of the Rochester senior forward.

Ten minutes into the half, the Yellowjackets drew even. Scott Cady scored his ninth goal of the season when he got to a loose ball in the penalty area and pushed it into the goal.

Wesleyan nearly crept ahead with just under 27 minutes to play. Austin Woolridge dribbled to the top of the area and fired at goal. The ball hit the top of the crossbar and went out of bounds.

In the final minute of regulation, Wesleyan's Asante Brooks took the ball down the left sideline and got it to Yamashita in the center of the area. He couldn't turn to shoot and the Yellowjackets cleared it from their own penalty area just before the 90 minute whistle.

“It was an excellent soccer game,” said Wesleyan coach Jeff Wheeler. “Rochester is a strong team and very well coached.” Both teams had one chance in the first OT. Brooks fired from the top of the area but Rochester goalkeeper Michael Peacock made the save three minutes in. With 2:30 to go, Rochester's Phil Proud drove a free kick on goal that was saved by Purdy.

Rochester booked its spot in the Elite 8 at 100:38. Richards sent a deep cross from the left side to Cargill who headed home his fourth goal of the season and second gamewinner.

“I think the fans got their money's worth,” said Apple.

Now, the Yellowjackets take on the team that has ended their season in each of the last two years. Messiah defeated Rochester, 6-0, in the Sweet 16 in Grantham two years ago. Last year, the Falcons won, 1-0, in the second round at Edwin Fauver Stadium. Opportunity awaits.

“We're looking forward to it,” said Apple. “This is the third year in a row. We're excited for the opportunity.”

Rochester is 14-1-3 with the victory. Wesleyan finishes at 12-2-5. The attendance was listed as 1,325.