Drexel University
Florida Gulf Coast
Men's Soccer Opens Embassy Suites Kick-Off Classic With a Draw Against Host Florida Gulf Coast
9/16/2010 10:33:41 PM | Men's Soccer
Box Score
Fort Myers, Fla. - Anthony Bafile scored on a skillfully taken free-kick goal from the right side of the goal box in the 80th minute to even the match for Drexel in a 1-1 tie with Florida Gulf Coast (2-2-2) at the Eagles' Embassy Suites Kick-Off Classic. The Dragons are now 4-0-1 on the season and will take on No. 24 South Florida on Saturday to wrap up the tournament.
Facing one of their toughest challenges of the season, the Dragons rose to the occasion. The team came from behind to tie the match and held on for the tie despite being outshot 10-3 in the second half, 21-12 in the match, and out-cornered 5-1 in the two overtime periods.
"We managed a result tonight and that is good," Head Coach Doug Hess said. "But we will certainly need to start playing some better soccer soon if we want to keep having success."
Drexel keeper Pentti Pussinen, making his second straight start, saved seven shots and allowed only a penalty kick goal to the Eagles. Both goals that Pussinen has allowed this season were the result of penalty kicks.
Christian Raudales converted the penalty kick for the Eagles in the 58th minute. FGCU keeper Adam Glick made five stops in net and allowed one goal in 110 minutes of play.
Drexel put FGCU under constant pressure in the overtime periods by putting four shots on goal, two in each period. As a result, the Dragons earned a golden opportunity to take the match in the second overtime when a yellow-card foul in the goal box by the Eagles gave Drexel a penalty kick.
Sophomore midfielder Nathan Page stepped to the ball to take the kick, but Glick, one of the top keepers in the country according to CollegeSoccerNews.com, was equal to the task, saving Page's offering to preserve the tie.
Drexel faces its first nationally ranked opponent of the season on Saturday when they take on a No. 24 South Florida team that defeated No. 8 Ohio State in the other game of the Embassy Suites Kick-Off Classic. The Bulls' only loss this season was to FGCU in the season opener.
