Statesmen Upset Bees in Shootout, Reach Semis for First Time Since 2006
William Penn University Athletics
Davenport–The William Penn men’s soccer team knocked off St. Ambrose for the second time this year, but Sunday’s win was much more important as it punched the team’s ticket for the semifinal round of the Midwest Collegiate Conference Tournament.
The teams were tied 1-1 through regulation and two overtimes, but #6 seed William Penn (8-10-1) came away on top with a 4-3 edge in penalty kicks over the third-seeded Fighting Bees (10-6-2).
William Penn now advances to face #2 seed Mount Mercy in Cedar Rapids in next Sunday’s semifinals. It is the program’s first trip to the semis since 2006. The Mustangs won the regular season meeting 2-0 in Oskaloosa on September 22.
Despite being outshot 25-9, including only three attempts in the first half, the navy and gold took the early lead when Victor Cruz (Jr., Elsa, Texas, Business Management) scored his team-leading eighth goal off a pass from Angelo Kelly (Fr., Ottumwa, Iowa, Physical Education) at the 7:13 mark.
The Statesmen nearly escaped without having to face overtime, but Tyler Clark knotted the contest with only 2:22 left on the clock.
St. Ambrose posted all four shots in the extra periods, but none got past goalkeeper Mason Bandy (So., Calgary, Alberta, Biology), who finished with nine saves. All of that paled in comparison to his showing in the shootout, however.
The Fighting Bees kicked first and scored and Cruz answered right back. St. Ambrose then made their second attempt, but Kelly failed to tie it. A 3-1 advantage was secured in the next round by the home team, but Jeff Kelly (Sr., Ottumwa, Iowa, Business Management) kept his team alive in the bottom half of the third round.
With their backs to the wall, the Statesmen found a way to keep their season alive. One SAU shot was missed and won was saved by Bandy, while Leonardo Teixeira (Jr., Sao Paolo, Brazil, Undecided) tied it up in the fourth and Mark Dryden (Jr., Arbroath, Scotland, Biology) won it in the fifth.
“Mason Bandy is to be commended for his outstanding play in goal today,” Head Coach Greg Jarosik said. “He made several fantastic saves during regulation, but his biggest came in the shootout.”
