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Villanova Stuns Bucknell in Overtime in Men's Soccer Opener
Sept. 1, 2010
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Freshman Joseph Schmid scored 6:18 into sudden-death overtime to lift Villanova to a 2-1 victory, spoiling the Bucknell men's soccer team's season opener in front of a large crowd at Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium. Ryan Sappington (Barboursville, Va./Shattuck-St. Mary's) scored Bucknell's goal with only nine seconds remaining in the first half, but the Wildcats equalized in the second half and then Schmid's skipping shot won it for Villanova in the first-ever meeting between the two teams. Neither team generated many quality scoring opportunities throughout most of the first half, but that changed in the final minute. Bucknell was a awarded a throw-in deep in Villanova territory, and knowing it would likely be the last play of the half sent left winger Tommy McCabe (Sarasota, Fla./Cardinal Mooney) and his strong throw all the way over to the right side. McCabe delivered his throw-in well into the box, where it was headed away by a defender, but directly onto the foot of Sappington. The Bison junior quickly arched a shot over the head of goalkeeper Chris Bresnahan and into the net for his second career goal. Seven minutes into the second half, Villanova put its first quality shot on frame when Brent Hooper drove a hard, knuckling shot that Tommy Caso (Phoenix, Md./McDonogh) was able to steer away. But only seven minutes later, freshman Dylan Renna found himself in open space on the left wing, turned into the box and fired a high shot past Caso to tie the game at 1-apiece. Sophomore CK Kumah (Accrah, Ghana/Hotchkiss School) and freshman Josh Butzke (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y./Comsewogue) had looks inside the penalty area later in the half, but Bresnahan was there both times. With six minutes left in regulation Villanova was awarded a dangerous free kick just outside the box near the touch line, but the Bison were able to clear. The overtime goal came when Bucknell had trouble in its own end, and Schmid found space about 25 yards out. He struck a bouncing ball that skimmed off the ground and then off Caso's outstretched fingertips and into the back of the net. The golden goal gave Villanova a 12-11 edge in total shots. Bresnahan finished with four saves, while Caso had three. The Wildcats were whistled for 18 fouls to seven for Bucknell in a game that was played fairly physically throughout. Bucknell will try to get in the win column on Friday against another Big 5 team. This time the Bison travel to Philadelphia to face La Salle at 7 p.m. NOTES: Freshmen Butzke and Mayowa Alli made their first career starts ... junior Brendan Klebanoff made his first appearance since 2008, after missing all of last season with an injury ... McCabe and Kumah led the Bison with three shots apiece ... members of the North Union United youth soccer club were introduced at halftime, and U9 and U10 players escorted the teams on the field and served as ball boys ... the attendance was 896, as the Holmes Stadium grandstands were primarily full and a few dozen spectators sat on the grassy hill overlooking the north goal.
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