Late Goal Earns Men's Soccer 1-1 Draw with Hofstra

Wednesday, October 30

Vidas Field

7:00

Drexel University

7-7-3, 3-1-2

Hofstra

8-5-3, 2-2-2

OT 3

OT 4

Hofstra

Drexel

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

Late Goal Earns Men's Soccer 1-1 Draw with Hofstra

10/30/2013 9:57:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Tal Bublil has shown a knack for the dramatic during his four years with the Drexel men's soccer team. The captain of this year's squad and one of the pillars of the defensive unit that has been the backbone of the team's success over the past two years, Bublil had just three career goals coming into Wednesday night's Senior Night tilt with Hofstra. His fourth career goal was not a game-winner, but it was a big one for the Dragons as his score in the 87th minute netted Drexel a 1-1 draw, and wound up helping them clinch a spot in this year's CAA Championships.

The Dragons (7-7-3, 3-1-2) trailed for almost exactly 50 minutes of game play before Bublil got the equalizer to send the game into overtime. Drexel outshot Hofstra 7-3 in extra time and had several nice touches that nearly ended things, but settled for the draw.

Both goals in the game came off corner kicks. Hofstra got its goal in the 37th minute. Chris Griebsch inserted for the Pride, lofting a perfect ball just in front of the net into a swarm of players from both sides. Elliot Firth got above the rest and got his head on the ball, twisting it past diving Drexel goalkeeper Tyler Afflerbach.

In a game that had tremendous postseason implications for both sides, the teams played a physical, exciting contest throughout the second half, with the Pride having a counter answer for every Drexel attack. Then in the waning moments, with the Dragons desperately searching for a score, they got a corner kick with just over three minutes remaining.

The ball was served in by Connor Goldsmith, who had only recently entered the game. He sent a ball to the far post, where Ken Tribbett deflected it over to Bublil, who pounded it home with a header that eluded the grasp of Hofstra goalkeeper Roberto Pellegrini.

Early in the first overtime session, the Dragons had several chances to grab the victory. Mark Donohue had three looks, two of which went just wide and one that curled perfectly, seemingly destined for the upper right 90. Pellegrini leapt and just deflected it over the crossbar, though, keeping the game alive. Tribbett also had an outstanding look from the left of Pellegrini about 12 yards out, but a diving Hofstra defender blocked it away from a virtually empty net just in time.

Prior to the game, the final home contest of the regular season for Drexel, the Dragons honored nine graduating seniors. Head coach Doug Hess, Deputy Athletics Director Nick Gannon, Assistant AD Sean Joyce and Drexel faculty member Hazem Maragah welcomed the seniors and their families to midfield during the ceremony. The senior class accounted for 14 of the Dragons' 15 shots taken during the game, with Skylar Olson, Nathan Page and Phillip Hagerty testing the Hofstra defense along with Bublil, Tribbett and Donohue.

Drexel's tie, combined with a College of Charleston win over James Madison, ensured the Dragons a spot in the upcoming CAA Championships. The Dragons are currently alone in first place in the CAA with 11 points, although they are just one ahead of Northeastern and two up on William & Mary, UNCW and Delaware. Of those teams, only Drexel and Delaware have just one game remaining, while the rest each has two. However, the Dragons hold tiebreakers over each of those teams.