CHESTER, PA. – The men's soccer team capitalized on their opportunities led by
Aidan Wright's (Ijamsville, Md./Oakdale) multi-goal performance and the first career start for goalkeeper
Kollin Purgason (Walkersville, Md./Walkersville) to win their first postseason game in program history 3-1 on the road against Widener on Tuesday night. The Blazers will head to the semifinals to take on the No. 1 seed in the Knights of Neumann.
Inside the Box Score
Wright scored his two goals on while taking two shots on goal.
Ange Simo (Frederick, Md./Oakdale) netted a goal and setup the game winning penalty kick.
Kollin Purgason (Walkersville, Md./Walkersville) earned his first career win making five saves in the match.
How it Happened
Widener controlled much of the early pressure, earning several corners in the opening 10 minutes and receiving a prime opportunity in the 27th minute after a penalty was awarded. However, Hood goalkeeper Purgason came up with a crucial save on Jordi Lopez's penalty kick attempt, keeping the contest scoreless.
After subbing in just minutes before, in the 31
st minute Simo sprinted ahead on the attack and was able to get one last touch on the ball and snuck it inside the post to ambush the Pride and take a 1-0 lead.
Seven minutes later, Simo would create a déjà vu moment in space right before the half just as he was about to cut in between two defenders and send a shot home, was cut down at the legs by a Pride defender to spark a penalty kick. Wright would send a steamer to the keeper's right that would deflect off his mitts and into the goal for the 2-0 lead.
The Pride pushed forward throughout the second half looking to cut into the deficit, but Purgason and the Hood defense repeatedly turned away scoring chances. The sophomore goalkeeper recorded four saves while faces of
Lucas Godfroy (Adamstown, Md./Urbana),
Kamarre Lawrence (Brandywine, Md./Saint Vincent Pallotti) and
Memo Portillo (Silver Spring, Md./John F. Kennedy) kept Widener at bay.
In the 78
th minute, a kick came in from just beyond the sideline from Widener and skipped through the box surprisingly not touching a body until a late redirection that froze Purgason and he could only watch the ball go from being wide off target to being directed off the post and into the net. To add to the drama, offsides was called on the play but after discussion it was overturned and now a comeback was brewing at 2-1.
The final minutes saw seven different cards with both teams contributing. A second yellow was issued to Regan of the Pride and ultimately led to a free kick.
Wright took the free kick from just about 20 yards out and although the wall of five defenders loomed large, the senior's touch was pure finding top left net which slammed the door and locked in the squad's first playoff win.
Analysis
Widener led in shots 11-9 and corners 6-3.
For the Opponent
Ricky Venegas Banuelos scored the Widener goal.
Notes
Hood improves to 8-9-1 and continues its streak to the second round of the postseason.
Widener falls to 11-5-1.
Up Next
The squad continues the playoff journey with a rematch against the No. 1 seed Neumann on the road on Thursday, November 5 at 7 p.m.. Hood fell 1-0 in the final match of the season against the Knights less than a week to go and will matchup in Neumann's first men's soccer MAC playoff appearance.
