Drexel University Athletics
Drexel University
Siena
Assumpcao Kicks Drexel To 2-1 Overtime Victory Against Siena
9/12/2006 1:46:06 PM | Men's Soccer
Philadelphia, Pa. – Freshman Fabio Assumpção (Alves, Brazil/Colegio Batista Brasileiro) put on a display of footwork and ball handling ability through the first 90 minutes of Drexel's nighttime match against Siena (0-2). But it was his determination in the first overtime period that gave Drexel (2-1) its second win of the season. The midfielder took a ball from the sideline near midfield, found some space and sprinted to the top of the penalty box. Carrying the ball at his foot, Assumpção was taken down by a Siena defender just inside the penalty arc. On the reset Assumpção struck the ball high over the right side of the box with a great deal of side spin. The ball curved to the left and landed in the top corner of the goal past the diving keeper to give Drexel a 2-1 victory in overtime.
The goal was the freshman's second on the season and his second game-winning goal in as many matches. After dominating the scoring opportunities in the first half but never connecting for a tally, Drexel finally got on the board in the 86th minute when Dominick Balsamo (Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy) hit sophomore Mike Crosse (Yorkshire, England/Greenhead College) in full stride. Crosse carried the ball toward the penalty box and evaded a defender just outside. Siena's goalie Patrick Henry charged out to cut off the run but Crosse lifted the ball, which deflected off the defender, and to chip it over Henry to give Drexel a 1-0 lead. Balsamo's assist was the 12th of his career, moving him into a tie with William Grady for 11th place on Drexel's all-time list.
Trailing with less than five minutes to play, Siena pulled out all the stops by loading its offensive zone. Drexel held off the barrage for nearly four minutes. But the Saints drew a foul on a head ball just outside the penalty box. On the reset, Jason Laffin rolled the ball to the right where Anthony Tagliaferri struck it past Drexel's wall. Drexel keeper Cory Robertson (Scottsdale, Ariz./Horizon) dove to block the shot, but the ball rebounded right to Siena's Liam Welsh who knocked it in to tie the game with less than a minute remaining.
Drexel outshot Siena 14-6 in the game and earned six corner kicks without yielding one to the Saints. Patrick Henry made five saves in goal for Siena while Robertson stopped three for Drexel. For a second straight game, the Dragons recorded a team defensive save. This occurred in the 32nd minute when Robertson charged out and dove to block a shot. The rebound was quickly chipped back into the goal box. But sophomore Pat McCaffery (Langhorne, Pa./La Salle College) sprinted in and dove to make a sideways volley, clearing the ball just before it crossed the plane of the goal.
The Dragons return to action on Friday, facing UMBC in the nightcap of the Drexel Invitational Tournament at 7:00 p.m.
DU 0 1 1 - 2
Siena 0 0 0 - 0
