Drexel University
UNC Wilmington
Dragons Lose CAA Opener to UNCW on a Penalty Kick in Overtime
9/27/2008 9:09:18 PM | Men's Soccer
Philadelphia- A penalty kick goal in the 99th minute by UNC Wilmington's Daniel Roberts wrapped up a wild CAA opener for the Dragons on a rainy night at Vidas Field. The Seahawks prevailed in an offensive onslaught, 4-3. Drexel (2-4-2, 0-1 CAA) led for the majority of the match, until a UNCW (4-5-0, 1-0 CAA) penalty kick in the 76th minute evened the score at three goals apiece and ticketed the proceedings for overtime. Mike Crosse, Chris Schieve and Todd Wampler scored for the Dragons, who snapped a five-match scoreless streak in the loss.
UNC Wilmington outshot Drexel 20-8 on the evening, and held a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks. Drexel keeper Cory Robertson made nine stops in goal while Brock Duckworth let in three and saved two for the Seahawks. The high-scoring affair marks the first time since the 2006 season that the Dragons lost a match in which they scored a goal.
The Dragons opened scoring in the 17th minute when Andrew Goldberg threaded a pass through two defenders as Crosse outsprinted the pair of Seahawks to meet the ball. The forward slid his shot to the lower left side past keeper Brock Duckworth to put the Dragons on top 1-0. Crosse's score snapped a drought of more than 500 minutes without a goal for the Dragons.
The Dragons would not need to wait nearly as long for their next goal. In the 32nd minute Pat McCaffery curved a pass along the left side where Carlos Ruthner caught up to it and lifted a cross into the box. Chris Schieve launched himself into the air and outleapt keeper Brock Duckworth to connect on the goal-scoring header.
UNC Wilmington got one back in the 39th minute when Devan Carroll dribbled his way through the Drexel defense on the left side of the box and squared off against Cory Robertson in a one-on-one. Carroll blasted a shot to the near side of the goal over Robertson's shoulder to make it a 2-1 match.
The Dragons tacked on another goal in the 65th minute after a nice build up along the right sideline. Nate Baker chased down a bouncing ball to space, settled it and lifted a high cross into the goal box. Todd Wampler caught it on his left foot, brought it down and ripped a shot to the right side of the goal, giving Drexel a 3-1 lead.
The goal would end up being a crucial one as the Seahawks scored again just minutes later. Off a quick throw in, Jeffery Shapiro slid a pass across to Nassim Berhouni, who had just entered the match. Berhouni lifted his shot to the upper right corner of the goal to make the score 3-2.
Wilmington nearly picked up the equalizer just after the goal when Carroll again broke free in the goal box. Robertson timed his challenge perfectly and smothered the ball on Carroll's foot.
Drexel had an opportunity to score yet again when Leland Raum was taken down in the box setting up a penalty kick. Anthony Bafile took the shot, but his low liner was saved by a diving Duckworth.
UNC Wilmington would get a chance to deposit a penalty kick of its own in the 76th minute. Daniel Roberts would make good on it with a low shot to the left side as Robertson dove right, squaring the match at 3-3.
The match would take its final turn
Prior to the match, the 2007 Drexel men's soccer team was honored for their CAA regular-season co-championship as a banner was raised at Vidas Field to commemorate the honor. At halftime Drexel recognized the 50th anniversary of the 1958 men's soccer national championship team. Twelve members of the championship squad returned to the pitch as part of Drexel's Alumni Day festivities.
The Dragons are back in action next Friday, Oct. 3 when they travel to play the Towson Tigers, the team that knocked them from the CAA Tournament in the semifinals last season. The match kicks off at 4:00 p.m. in Towson, Md.
Scoring Summary
16:29 DU Mike Crosse (Andrew Goldberg)
31:21 DU Chris Schieve (Pat McCaffery, Carlos Ruthner)
38:18 UNCW Devan Carroll (Daniel Roberts)
60:00 DU Todd Wampler (Nate Baker)
66:30 UNCW Nassim Berhouni (Jeffrey Shapiro)
75:12 UNCW Daniel Roberts (penalty kick)
98:31UNCW Daniel Roberts (penalty kick)
Shots: UNCW 20, DU 7
Corners: UNCW 7, DU 2
Saves: Robertson (DU) 9, Duckworth (UNCW) 2
Fouls: DU 14, UNCW 12
Cards: Gunderian (UNCW) yellow; Ruff (DU) yellow, Harrison (UNCW) yellow; McCaffery (DU) yellow; Robertson (DU) yellow
