Tribbett's Last-Second Header Gives Dragons 2-1 Win Over NJIT

Monday, September 13

Vidas Field

7:00 p.m.

Drexel University

NJIT

Rookie Ken Tribbett made his first goal a memorable one, heading home the game-winner with two seconds left in regulation.

Tribbett's Last-Second Header Gives Dragons 2-1 Win Over NJIT

9/13/2010 9:14:54 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Philadelphia - Drexel (4-0) used a bit of last-second magic and the 6-foot-2 frame of midfielder Ken Tribbett to preserve its unblemished record on the season with a 2-1 win over NJIT at home. With three seconds remaining the Highlanders were whistled for a foul about five yards outside of their goal box. The referee stopped the clock as the ball was kicked away from its mark. Anthony Bafile replaced the ball and lined up for the kick as the Dragons were afforded the time to pack the goal box. Bafile curled a serve toward the back post where Tribbett met it with a leaping header to the middle of the net, giving Drexel a thrilling victory at the end of regulation. Nathan Page scored the first goal for Drexel, who came back from a 1-0 first half deficit in the victory. Jack McVey scored the Highlanders' (2-2) lone goal on a penalty kick in the 24th minute.

Much of the first half of the game was controlled by NJIT, as the Highlanders midfield unit showed good organization and ablity to control the match's flow. The Dragons had to claw their way back into the match, scoring both goals in the second half.

"I thought it was an unbelievably gutsy performance from our guys," said Drexel Head Coach Doug Hess. "NJIT did a solid job of controlling the middle third of the field. Our guys showed some solid resiliency in the second half to grab the game back. It was, without a doubt, a dramatic finish."

NJIT scored in the 23rd minute after an opening 20 minutes of quality possession soccer. The Highlanders drew a foul on a late challenge in on the right side of the goal box. Jack McVey stepped to the ball and deposited his penalty shot in the left side of the net past a diving Pentti Pussinen in goal.

Drexel's best scoring look came in the final minute when Brandon Zeller pushed a ball out of traffic to Nate Baker on the right side in the goal box. Baker had an open look but opted for a cross to the far post. To his chagrin, however, the NJIT defense recovered in time to knock the ball away and dispatch the threat.

Drexel was able to shift momentum in the second half of play , outshooting the Highlanders 12-2 in the period after being outshot 7-4 in the opening half.

The Dragons attacked early in the second period with the speedy Malcolm LeBourne leading the charge down the right side. Nathan Page sprinted into the box to meet his cross and deftly fed a heel pass to Nate Baker in the middle. Baker attempted to chip the shot high, but it missed its mark and flew wide over the crossbar.

In the 56th minute Skylar Olson gave the Dragons yet another chance when he launched a cross from 30 yards out that made it all the way to the center of the crossbar. Baker collected the rebound and blasted a shot from 10 yards out that was blocked by a host of Highlanders.

Four minutes later, Baker found himself in the middle of an opportunity again. This time midfielder Kenneth Tribbett hit him in stride with a ball to space from Drexel's defensive third. The pass sprung Baker for a footrace to the goal box. Baker's defender pressured him to the inside as he settled the ball on his left foot and unleashed a blast that curled just wide of the left corner of the goal.

Drexel finally broke through with an equalizer in the 66th minute when Baker fought his way to a cross from LeBourne in the middle of the goal box. He passed it to Page on the right side about 10 yards out. Page held off his defender while bringing the ball to his right foot. With the defender hanging on his left arm, Page blasted a shot to the upper left side and past keeper John Ricketti to square the match at 1-1.

Freshman keeper Pentti Pussinen made three saves to earn his second win of the season in net. For the Highlanders, John Ricketti allowed two goals without a save in the contest.

The Dragons travel to Fort Myers, Fla. this weekend to play in the Florida Gulf Coast Kickoff Classic. Drexel will face the host FGCU on Thursday and take on South Florida on Saturday.