BOX SCORE
St. Davids, PA (Nov. 2, 2005) – Top-seeded Eastern University, ranked No. 9 in the nation, advanced to the Finals of the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Championships with a 3-1 decision over #4 Alvernia College in penalty kicks Saturday afternoon at Eastern.
Alvernia junior Cody Gambler (Mohrsville, PA/Schuylkill Valley) scored the equalizer for the Crusaders in the 43rd minute and neither team found the back of the net through the second half and two 10-minute overtime periods. Alvernia was able to force the penalty kicks despite playing the final 47 minutes of the match down a man after freshman Tyler Absalom (Fleetwood, PA/Fleetwood) was dismissed with his second yellow card of the day.
Eastern, ranked #9 in the nation by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America opened the scoring in the 31st minute when Cliff Gehret (Telford, PA/Souderton) finished off a corner play. Alvernia was able to deny the first Eastern effort from the corner, but Gehret tallied from close range for the first goal of the day.
Gambler responded for the guests with time running down in the opening half. The 5-10 junior beat a defender on the left side and ripped a shot past Eastern goalie Brandon Ziegler (Litiz, PA/Manheim Central).
Alvernia continued to push early in the second half earning a chance on a serve inside the six yard line in the 48th minute, but the header popped over the net leaving the game knotted at 1-1. Fifteen minutes later Alvernia freshman Ryan Rutherford (Fleetwood, PA/Fleetwood) ripped a shot from the top of the box that was saved by Ziegler. The senior goalie’s punt put Eastern’s leading scorer Daniel Carvalho (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) in a threatening offensive position and Absalom’s hard tackle was given a yellow card, his second of the match.
Eastern gave every effort to finish the game in regulation and overtime, but Alvernia keeper Richard Kessler (Reading, PA/Reading) was up to the task every time. He made two tremendous saves in the overtime periods, knocking one shot off the crossbar and pushing another one wide of the net.
The host Eagles buried each of their first two penalty kicks while the Crusader made just one of two. Kessler saved the third Eastern attempt and the Crusaders hit the crossbar with a chance to tie things up. Eastern made good on the fourth shot and a Ziegler save finished the match giving Eastern a 3-1 advantage in penalty kicks.
Eastern will host Arcadia University, a 3-0 winner over Wesley College, in the PAC Final.
#1 Eastern 1, #4 Alvernia 1 (Eastern advances, 3-1 in penalty kicks)
