November 6, 2013
Grove City falls to W&J in shootout
GROVE CITY, Pa. -- The Grove City College men's soccer team battled with Washington & Jefferson to a scoreless draw for the second time this season, but the Presidents edged the Wolverines 4-3 in penalty kicks on Wednesday night at Alexandre Stadium to advance from the Presidents' Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals into Saturday's championship match.
The Wolverines controlled play during the first half, outshooting the Presidents 9-5. W&J took control in the second frame, owning a 9-7 overall advantage in shots and a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal. Neither team could capitalize, however, sending the match into extra time still scoreless.
With the extra frame, Grove City tied the NCAA All-Divisions record for most overtime matches in a season with 11.
Neither team could convert in the two overtime sessions, forcing the match into a shootout to decide who would advance.
Sophomore Seth Loew (Center Valley, Pa./Southern Lehigh) made the Wolverines' first attempt but the Presidents would answer to even the shootout at 1-1. Following a Grove City miss, Wolverine goalkeeper Brenden Alfery (Pittsburgh, Pa./Central Catholic) chose the right direction and made a save to keep things even at 1-1 through two rounds.
Grove City would fail to convert again in round three on a Jon Best save. Despite makes by senior Dan Adams (The Woodlands, Texas/The Woodlands) and freshman Dale Reese (Rocky Hill, Conn./Loomis Chaffee), the Wolverines couldn't make up for the early misses, falling 4-3.
Alfery continued his stellar play in goal, recording nine saves to earn his third shutout of the season.
The Wolverines, now 8-5-6 overall, will await the possibility of an ECAC Tournament berth.