Drexel University Athletics
Drexel University
William & Mary
McCaffery's Goal Sends Dragons Back to CAA Tournament
11/2/2007 9:06:01 PM | Men's Soccer
Philadelphia, Pa. – Pat McCaffery (Langhorne, Pa./La Salle) blasted the Dragons into the CAA Tournament for the first time in five years with a sizzling volley in the 66th minute of play. The Drexel defense, which has been one of the stingiest in the conference this season, once again made the slim advantage hold up for a 1-0 victory over William & Mary. The win, Drexel's first ever over William and Mary, combined with Old Dominion's loss to Delaware moves the Dragons back into a dead heat for first place and makes Sunday's 1:00 match-up with the Monarchs a meeting of the two teams tied atop the standings.
The game-winning goal was set up when the Dragons drew a foul about five yards outside of the left corner of the goal box. Anthony Bafile, Fabio Assumpcao and Thiago Assumpcao lined up near the ball. After a fake by Thiago, Fabio Assumpcao slid the ball to Bafile who carried to toward the end line and then lifted a low cross to the far post. McCaffery sprinted in from the wing and, bolstered by his momentum, unleashed a shot that hit nothing but the back of the net, sending the more-than-500 fans amassed at Vidas Field into a frenzy.
The Dragons dominated play for much of the match, outshooting William & Mary by a 24-12 margin. The majority of the Tribes' shots came in the final 20 minutes after the team fell behind. Far from settling to play defense after garnering a lead, Drexel continued to pressure the Tribe, putting three more shots on goal after taking the advantage.
The thrilling victory was a landmark for the Dragons in many aspects. Drexel reached the 10-win plateau for the first time since the 2002 season, which was also the team's last trip to the CAA Tournament. The Dragons now have seven conference wins with two matches to play, which is the most ever for a Drexel team.
Both keepers turned in solid performances in the net for their respective teams. Andrew McAdams, who seemed to be under fire for most of the evening, made nine stops for the Tribe. Cory Robertson (Scottsdale, Ariz./Horizon) made a season-high six stops for his sixth shutout of the season. Drexel's defensive backs who have played a pivotal role in the Dragons' success all season, rose to the task again.
Drexel was the clear aggressor in the first 45 minutes of play, generating countless scoring opportunities, but the Dragons failed to put one in. One of the Dragons' best chances came early in the match when transfer Mbizo Mzamane (Johannesburg, South Africa) chased down a ball into space, outrunning the Tribe defender, who appeared to have a step on him, and carrying the ball into the box along the end, but Mzamane's bid to beat the keeper one-on-one was squelched with a smothering save.
It was more of the same in the second half for Drexel. The team saw a pair of chances fly high of the goal in the first 20 minutes. A half volley by Anthony Bafile (West Chester, Pa./Henderson) from five yards out proved to be too tall 10 minutes into the period. About 10 minutes later Nate Baker (Andover, Mass./Andover) sent a cross to a streaking Thiago Assumpção (Sao Paulo, Brazil/San Luis) who slid to get a foot on it, sending it over the crossbar.
Less than eight minutes into the second half the Tribe found their best scoring chance of the match. After earning a foul near the sideline about 15 yards into their offensive zone, the Tribe served a ball into the goal box where Robertson rose up to punch it away. In the aerial melee that ensued, the keeper's legs got taken out from under him, leaving the goal unattended. The Tribe's Price Thomas gathered the ball and got off a quick shot, but the quick-recovering Drexel defenders were able to deflect it wide of the goal for a corner kick instead of a certain goal.
Drexel was able to play out the duration of the match without allowing a similar scoring chance for the Tribe. As the clock ticked down on the monumental victory the roar of the crowd grew louder. The fans came to their feet when public address announcer Dan Baker counted down the final 10 seconds of a historic victory in what has been a special season for the Dragons thus far.
The Dragons will play Old Dominion for sole possession of first place at Vidas Field on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Seniors Mark Stevenson, Ray Nedbal and Derrec Mongan will be honored prior to the match as part of Senior Day proceedings.
Goal Summary
65:57 Drexel McCaffery (Bafile, F. Assumpção)
Shots: DU 24, WM 12
Corners: DU 5, WM 5
Saves: WM- McAdams (9), DU- Robertson (6)
Cards: William & Mary #8, Yellow, (21:23); Drexel #19, Yellow, (76:40)
