Drexel University
Georgia State
Assumpcao's Acrobatic Goal Gives Drexel A 1-0 Victory Over Georgia State
10/13/2006 9:35:28 PM | Men's Soccer
Philadelphia, Pa. - Freshman Fabio Assumpcao wowed the crowd at Vidas Field by scoring on a bicycle kick in the 15th minute against Georgia State (1-12, 1-6 CAA) and sophomore keeper Cory Robertson made a series of stellar saves in goal to preserve a 1-0 CAA victory for the Dragons (6-7, 2-5 CAA).
In a wide open match that maintained a frenetic pace for the majority of its 90 minutes, both teams had an abundace of quality scoring opportunities. Drexel was the first to capitalize on its chances. Senior Dominick Balsamo collected an early ball at the top of the penalty box, carried it in and blasted a shot that glanced off the right goal post. The Dragons packed the box and scrambled to keep the ball in play, putting it up for grabs in three consecutive headers right in front of the goal. The third headed ball came from freshman Anthony Bafile who positioned himself at the far post. Bafile knocked the ball toward the middle of the goal. Assumpcao launched himself into the air, turned upside down and connected with his right foot, sending the ball curving into the right side of the net and the crowd assembled at Vidas Field into a frenzy.
There was no let down from the Dragons after that point. Smelling blood, the team launched a series of serves into the box and raced the Panthers' defenders to them. Balsamo nearly netted a second goal for the Dragons in the 22nd minute when he found himself wide open on a break-away. With two other Dragons sprinting down the right side of the field for support, Balsamo carried the ball into the penalty box for a one-on-one confrontation with Georgia State goalie Filipe Carvalho. Balsamo tried to deke out the diving keeper but Carvalho proved equal to the challenge, smothering the ball on Balsamo's foot to quell the threat.
The speedy pace of the game seemed to suit Georgia State just as well. The Panthers had an opportunity to score midway through the second period when Dathan Knott found some room in the box on the right side and broke away from a pack of Drexel defenders. Knott tried to knock the ball past Robertson on the far side, but the sophomore used the entirety of his 6-foot-1-inch frame to reach for, and deflect the ball out of the box.
Minutes later Robertson would be challenged with a point-blank shot from about 10 yards in front of the goal. Floreal Pedrazo Pedigones and Alberto Villarreal worked a give-and-go at the top of the box, using precise passing to penetrate the Drexel defense. Villarreal blasted the shot at the middle of the goal, but Robertson read the play and positioned himself to make the reactionary save.
In the final 10 minutes of play Knott would terrorize the Dragons' defense once more. This time he collected an attempted clear that leaked out to the right side of the penalty box. As the ball rolled out of a scrum of Dragons and Panthers, Knott found enough daylight for a shot on the right side. But Robertson was there again to make the save and help the Dragons hold on for their second conference win.
Robertson finished the match with six saves in collecting his fourth shutout of the season. His counterpart, Carvalho, made seven saves for the Panthers. Drexel edged Georgia State in shots 15-12 and both teams earned four corner kicks. Assumpcao's goal was the fourth of his young career, every one has been a game winner.
Drexel returns to Vidas Field to host the Seahawks of UNC Wilmington at noon on Sunday Oct. 15.
