Box
Score
YORK, PA – The second-ranked York College
Spartans (17-1-5) wasted no time in putting visiting #13 Williams
College (16-2-2) in a 1-0 deficit as they struck for a goal just
4:05 into this today's match played at York College.
York's Justin Suchoski made a run into the box and slipped
a pass to Jon Ports who beat Eph keeper Andrew Graham to put host
York on top 1-0.
“The first 20-25 minutes they really came after us,”
noted Eph head coach Mike Russo. “They really had us
under the gun, but then I think they may have relaxed a little
thinking this might be easy for them. But we held our own and got
them out of their rhythm a that helped us.”
Gradually the Ephs began to settle down and gain and establish
an offensive flow, but it took nearly 40 minutes for Williams to
net the equalizer. Sophomore midfielder Angus Kennedy found first
year midfielder Patrick Ebobisse on the left side and Ebobisse
ripped a left footed shot from 30 yards out past the
Spartans' Ryan Hock into the upper left corner at 42:18 to
tie the game at one.
The assist by Kennedy was his first of the year and the goal by
Ebobisse was his first collegiate goal.
The score remained tied through the first half. York held a 5-3
advantage in shots.
The Ephs were on the offensive to start the second half, but
York was up to the challenge and the game developed into a battle
of two evenly matched teams making runs at the goal.
“Our first years, Ebobisse, Finan and Ratajczak really
stepped up today and our back four did yeomen's work, and the
midfield was good,” Russo said.” “It took the
strikers until the second half to get going forward.”
Through regulation the Spartans held a 10-7 margin in shots. In
the two overtime sessions both teams totaled five shots on goal.
“Andrew Graham made a great save with about one minute
left in the second overtime to keep the game tied,” noted
Russo.
When the penalty kick shootout arrived so did first year
netminder Than Finan for the Ephs.
York converted on the first four of their PK opportunities, but
the Ephs only connected on three of the first four shots, setting
up the opportunity for the Spartans' Lucas Emil to seal the
result. Emil missed and Colin Ainsworth scored for Williams to push
the shootout into sudden victory.
York's Cody Pearson took the Spartans' eighth PK and
Finan, setting the stage for the Ephs first year defender Matt
Ratajczak to be the hero, stopped him. “Matt was the picture
of composure as he approached the PK,” commented Russo.
Ratajczak's shot was true and the Ephs were through to the
Elite Eight.
The Ephs will face Christopher Newport University (19-2-2)
tomorrow at 1:00 PM at York College for the right to advance to the
Final Four in San Antonio. Christopher Newport and Stevens
Institute played to a scoreless tie, but Christopher Newport
advanced with a 4-2 PK shootout win.
“We're happy to be here and we know we beat a good
team today, but Christopher Newport is another very good team, so
we'll see what tomorrow brings,” said Russo.
|
| Ephs mob Matt Ratajczak
|
