Bridgeport, Conn. - Ryan Murphy’s
goal in the 88th minute sends the Dowling College men’s
soccer team to the East Coast Conference Championship game.
The 1-0 win over the No. 2 seeded University of Bridgeport improves
the Golden Lions to 11-3-3 on he season as the Purple Knights drop
to 9-7.
The Purple Knights held a slight advantage in the opening frame
getting of six shots to Dowling’s three. But the Golden
Lion defense anchored by junior back Zacchious Ogoo managed to shut
the UB attack out in the first 45 minutes of play. Despite
three corner kicks awarded to Dowling, the Golden Lions failed to
find the back of the net as well and the game went into the second
half scoreless.
A scoring opportunity for the Purple Knights went for naught in the
57th minute when a free kick was awarded just outside the box and
UB’s Christoffer Olesen attempt sailed over the net.
The Purple Knights continued to pressure the Golden Lions defense
and in the 64th minute a corner kick was sent into the box and
following a scramble UB managed to get a shot off, but DC’s
defense managed to deflect the shot and keep it from crossing the
goal line.
With just over 15 minutes remaining in regulation, the Purple
Knights’ best scoring chance arose when Olesen found himself
wide open, blasted a shot from just outside the six yard line, but
Dowing’s keeper Chris Freidl came up big with his sixth save
of the night.
The Golden Lions grabbed the lead after managing just one shot in
the first 42 minutes of the second half, sophomore Mike Gronanthal
took the ball up and sent it left to Chris Posillco who beat the UB
keeper finding Murphy in the middle for the open net goal, his
first of the season.
Freidl finished the game with six saves on the day for his fifth
shut out of the season.
The Golden Lions will travel to face the top seeded Pioneers of LIU
Post this Friday, November 8th.
Provided by the Dowling Sports Information Department.
