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Gators Win Thriller at Kenyon
October 31, 2007
GAMBIER, Ohio - The Allegheny men's soccer team (10-7-1) advanced to the North Coast Athletic Tournament Championship after defeating host and top-seeded Kenyon (14-3-3) on penalty kicks Wednesday afternoon. The game was scoreless after two overtime periods then went into a sudden death penalty kick session following a tie in the first round of penalty shots.
Both squads opened up penalty kicks with a save before connecting on their next attempt with senior Eric Sloan (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) converting on the first Gator shot. Kenyon seemed to grab the momentum when Allegheny's next shot was blocked and the Lords' was converted, giving Kenyon a 2-1 lead.
However, Allegheny stayed close with two straight successful kicks coming from senior Andrew Stutzman (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair) and senior goalie Ryan Larkin (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin). Kenyon had a chance to put the Gators away, but came up short when Larkin made a clutch save, sending the game to a second round of kicks.
The Gators hit each of their first three tries behind juniors Ryan Floyd (McMurray, Pa./Peters Township), Chris Cantwell (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin), and Pat Doherty (Getzville, N.Y./Williamsville). The Lords hit their first two, but had a third turned away by Larkin, sending the Gators to the championship game.
Larkin picked up his ninth shutout of the season and 17th overall in his career, giving him the school record in both categories.
Overall, Kenyon outshot Allegheny 19-11 with both squads attempting five corner kicks.
The win avenges a home loss this past weekend to #23 Kenyon in which the Gators fell on an own goal. The win also puts Allegheny into the NCAC Championship game for a fourth consecutive season. The Gators' last title came in 2004 when the squad advanced all the way to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Allegheny will play at the winner of the #3 Wittenberg/#2 Ohio Wesleyan contest being held later tonight. The championship contest will take place Saturday evening. Start time is to be determined.