Box Score
Scranton, PA – Sixth seeded Misericordia University advanced to the ECAC South Region semifinals with a 3-1 victory over third-seeded Marywood University in an ECAC men's soccer quarterfinal on Wednesday night. The Cougars, now 13-8 on the season, will take on Grove City College in Saturday's semifinal round while the Pacers close their record-breaking season with a 14-6-1 record.
Misericordia opened the scoring just 3:38 into Wednesday's contest when Joey Scanlon flicked a long throw-in by Bryan Kulbacki to the back post where Andy Bush scored from close range to give the Cougars the early lead. Misericordia would hold the 1-0 lead at halftime as the teams combined for just five shots, four of which belonged to the visitors, in the opening 45 minutes of play.
Marywood would level the score at one apiece in the 63rd minute as William Gordon (Harrisburg, PA) headed in a free kick from Ryan Jones (Holland, PA) for the senior's fifth goal of the season. Jones' helper was his 13th of the season as the sophomore ranks among the national leaders in helpers.
Misericordia would respond just over six minutes by taking advantage of a restart of their own. Bo Garrick served a corner kick to the back post where Scanlon rose above his defender to head home his fourth goal of the season to give the Cougars a 2-1 lead. Matt Scott gave Misericordia and insurance goal in the 78th minute of play. With the Pacers pushing numbers forward in search of the equalizer, Josh Pfahl slipped a pass to Scott, who laced a 30 yard shot over the outstretched hands of Marywood goalkeeper Shane Quinn.
Misericordia held a slim, 12-11 edge in shots for the game while Marywood had eight corner kicks to three for the Cougars.
Mason Astaneh made five save to pick up the win while Quinn (Clarks Summit, PA) made two stops for the Pacers. Quinn finishes his first year in Marywood's net with an impressive 0.96 goals against average and a school record 7 solo shutouts.
The game marked the end of the careers of seven Marywood seniors. Greg Dustin (Shrewsbury, MA), Gordon, Josh Hicks (Moscow, PA), Sean O'Day (Edwardsville, PA), Mike Pilla (Churchville, PA), Lee Powers (Mill Hall, PA), and Chris Rodzewich (Schwenksville, PA) all made their final appearances in a Pacers' uniform. These seniors finish their careers with a 38-34-3 record, three CSAC playoff appearances, one CSAC Runner-up finish, and one ECAC Tournament appearance; the most successful four-year run of any class in program history.
