Gators Seeking Second Straight NCAA Bid

Nov 4, 2005

MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Allegheny College men’s soccer team (8-7-4) and coach Angelo Panzetta have climbed their way back into the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) championship game. “We talked in the preseason about putting ourselves in position to compete for an NCAA bid this year. Finishing in the top four of the conference was the first step, beating Oberlin on Wednesday was the second step,” said Panzetta. Saturday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m. the Gators will head to Ohio Wesleyan (19-0) and try to scale the third step of their preseason goal.

The Blue and Gold have made it through the semifinal round of the NCAC playoffs for the second straight season, doing it this year with a semifinal win over Oberlin by a score of 1-0. Last season a 5-3 advantage in penalty kicks got the Gators by Denison in the championship after the teams went scoreless through regulation and overtime. This season’s championship game against Ohio Wesleyan, the number two team in the NSCAA/Adidas National Rankings, should be no easier.

“Ohio Wesleyan has had a dream season, going undefeated and moving up to the #2 team in the nation,” said Panzetta. “We have a lot of respect for what they have done this year. I have to believe that are already in as a seeded team in the NCAA tournament regardless of the outcome on Saturday. We had our chances to score early on in the regular season game when it was 0-0, but couldn't put them away. We need to do better with our chances this time. I thought the first half at Oberlin was 45 minutes of some of our best soccer this year. We hope to carry that momentum into Saturday's game.”

The first result of the season between the two teams ended in Ohio Wesleyan’s favor, 3-1. The win continued a trend for the Battling Bishops, as they have won all but six games this season by two or more goals, including each their last five. The attack has been balanced for Ohio Wesleyan, as four players are tied for the team lead in goals with seven, while three others have at least four scores. Defensively, the team is stubborn, posting nine shutouts and allowing just 12 goals.

Allegheny is led offensively by junior Alan Carr (Blairstown, N.J./ Blair Academy), who has a total of eleven goals. Carr picked up his last goal Wednesday against Oberlin, his fifth game-winner of 2005. On the other half of the pitch, Jeremy Garbutt (St. Louis, Mo./ John Burroughs School) and David Recker (Pittsburgh, Pa./ Baldwin) help solidify a defense that is anchored by senior goalkeeper Brian Manougian (Rye, N.H./ Portsmouth).

A Gator victory Saturday wraps up the automatic NCAA bid for the team, and gives it the opportunity to make another NCAA run. In 2004, the team made it to the “Sweet 16” of the tournament. “I feel our conference was the strongest it has been from top to bottom this year. I only hope we can find a way to win on Saturday so that the NCAC will have two representatives in the NCAA tournament,” said Panzetta.

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