Box Score FREDERICKSBURG, Va.--The Hood College men's soccer team (7-8,
2-5 CAC) dropped a heartbreaking 3-2 Capital Athletic Conference
decision to the University of Mary Washington Eagles (8-5-2, 3-3-1
CAC) Saturday afternoon.
Both teams came into today's matchup seeking a berth in the
six-team CAC tournament. The Eagles move into a tie with Stevenson
University for third place while the Blazers slip to a tie for
eighth place with one CAC contest remaining. The Blazers must win
at first-place York College (Pa.) Tuesday and have help from other
CAC teams in order to clinch one of the elusive six playoff
spots.
UMW scored the only goal of the first half by either team in the
16th minute. The Blazers were held without a shot in the opening
stanza.
First-year Eric Diehl changed that trend and continued his
impressive rookie campaign with his fifth goal of the season off a
free kick just 1:41 into the second half. Sophomore Jaime Ramirez
was credited with the assist, his CAC-best 10th of the season. His
10 assists tie Hood's single-season record, also held by assistant
coach Tom Noonan.
The Eagles posted a pair of goals within a span of three minutes
to go up 3-1 with less than seven minutes remaining. But the
Blazers wouldn't go away as junior Chris Mendez tacked on his
team-leading 11th goal of the fall in the 85th minute to pull Hood
to within one. Mendez had a chance at the equalizer a little more
than a minute later but his header attempt was saved by Blake
Weiss. Naseem Zietoon's try just before the final horn was off the
mark and the Eagles came away with the narrow victory.
Will Lane made three saves in the net for Hood in defeat.
The Blazers travel to face the 7-0 Spartans Tuesday at 3:30
p.m.