Box Score
Scranton, PA – William Gordon headed home a cross from Tim Kropa just over three minutes into the first overtime period to give Marywood University a 2-1 victory over Rosemont College in Colonial States Athletic Conference men's soccer action Saturday afternoon. With the win the Pacers clinched their second-straight CSAC playoff berth while improving to 7-6-2 on the season and 5-1-1 in conference play.
In a game played in periods of torrential downpours of rain, the visiting Ravens struck first with a goal just 8:02 into the game. A Rosemont free kick was served into Marywood's penalty by Sergio Martinez box where an unmarked Rodney Aguirre headed the ball past Marywood goalkeeper Jared El Gayeh, snapping the sophomore's streak of not allowing a goal at 367-plus minutes.
Marywood would equalize in the 37th minute by taking advantage of a restart of their own. Ryan Jones (Holland, PA) whipped a free kick through the Ravens' box that Joe Gulli (Forked Rivers, NJ) redirected past Rosemont goalkeeper Ron Vogelei for his second goal of the season. Jones' assist was his team-leading fifth of the season.
The second half went scoreless despite several golden opportunities at both ends of the pitch. Midway through the period, Rosemont had a flurry of shots forcing El Gayeh (Baldwin, NY) to make two spectacular saves and Marywood defenders Brian Wasser (Telford, PA) and Chris Rodzewich (Schwenksville, PA) to make diving efforts to keep the ball out of the net.
Moments later the Pacers nearly took the lead when Lee Powers (Mill Hall, PA) fired a shot from 20 yards out that banged off the near post.
Heading into their seventh overtime game of the season and second in as many games, Marywood wasted little time in ending the game just 3:15 into the extra session. Kropa (Clarks Summit, PA) took a ball down the left flank and crossed it to the back post where Gordon (Harrisburg, PA) headed it home for his second overtime game-winning goal of the season.
The Pacers, who have lost just once in their last eight games, out-shot Rosemont by a 14-10 margin and held a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks. El Gayeh and Vogelei each finished with eights saves.
Marywood returns to action on Tuesday when they host Immaculata University in CSAC action. Kickoff between the Pacers and Mighty Macs is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. in Scranton.
