Gophers Advance to ECAC Semifinals in Shootout

TOWSON, Md. - After sixth-seeded Goucher College and No. 3 seed Virginia Wesleyan University battled to a 2-2 tie in their ECAC Division III Men's Soccer Championship quarterfinal, the Gophers prevailed 5-3 in penalty kicks to advance to next weekend's semifinal round Saturday at Beldon Field.

• Goucher (10-7-3) had the game's first shot in the eighth minute as a Paul Van Engeland bid went wide.
• Virginia Wesleyan (13-3-3) had a shot saved by Gopher goalie Ale Sternini just shy of the 15-minute mark.
• Yaya Diabagate had back-to-back shots saved by Marlin goalie Matt Yates in the 19th minute.
• Virginia Wesleyan got on the board at 25:34 with a goal by Nolan Schulte.
• Sternini made a save on a shot by VWU's Can Khorassani in the 38th minute.
• With 6:36 remaining in the opening half, Andres Aristimuno scored as he was playing in his first game since September 30.
• The two teams entered halftime tied 1-1.

• Sternini three saves in the opening 15 minutes of the second half.
• With 21:32 remaining in regulation, Jeremiah Odubade scored to put the Gophers in front 2-1.
• The Marlins tied the game just over three minutes later on a Diego Armas tally.
• Van Engeland put a shot on goal two minutes later that was saved by Yates.
• Michael Adekanmbi had a shot saved by Yates with just over two minutes left in regulation.

• Both teams had a shot on goal in the first 10-minute overtime, with Sternini and Yates each making saves.
• Adekanmbi sent a shot wide in the closing seconds of the first OT.
• Neither team had a shot in the second extra session, but the Marlins did generate a late corner kick.
• Goucher went first in the shootout and the Gophers made their first four, with Will Frasier, Adekanmbi, Flynn McNally and Gus Dalzell all converting.
• Virginia Wesleyan made its first three to keep pace with Goucher, but the fourth shot sailed high.
• Diabagate converted in the fifth and final round to clinch advancement.

• Goucher held a 20-13 shot advantage and generated an 8-4 lead in corner kicks.
• Both Sternini and Yates made seven saves.
• Adekanmbi led Goucher with five shots.
• Goucher advances to the ECAC semifinals for the first time in its second appearance.  Last season the Gophers reached the quarterfinals and tied Alvernia 2-2 before falling to the Golden Wolves on PKs.
• Saturday's game marked the first-ever meeting with Virginia Wesleyan. 

• Goucher will face the winner of Sunday's quarterfinal between No. 2 Penn State Behrend and No. 7 seed Franciscan next Saturday (November 18).
• The site of next weekend's semifinals and championship match will be announced following the conclusion of this weekend's games.