BALTIMORE, MD - The York College men's soccer team took to
the road Wednesday night and edged #5 Johns Hopkins University 2-1
in non-conference action. The Spartans (15-1, 5-1 CAC) record
their second win over a top ten opponent as the green and white
defeated Messiah College barely over one week ago. With the
loss the Blue Jays fall to 13-2 for the season.
Johns Hopkins jumped out in front early as the Blue Jays got the
better of the play during the opening minutes. The Blue
Jays relentless attack put a great deal of pressure on the York
side. In the 12th minute a penalty kick was awarded to JHU
after a York foul inside the penalty box. Nick Gauna
converted his tenth goal of the season giving Hopkins the 1-0
advantage.
As the Spartans settled into the match the momentum slowly
shifted in favor of the green and white. Just before the 40th
minute, Andrew Wheeler (Baltimore, Md./Patapsco)
wrapped a beautiful ball from the right flank to an on-running
Jason Mancuso (Toms River, N.J./Toms River
North). Mancuso was challenged by Hopkins goalkeeper
Matt Mierley but was able to touch a pass to an awaiting
Matt Detzel (York, Pa./Central York). The
senior promptly struck the ball to the back of the Blue Jay net to
even the score at one.
As the second stanza commenced, the green and white continued
their strong play controlling much of the action. The
constant pressure from York's attackers created several
dangerous that finally resulted in a penalty-kick in the 77th
minute. Kurt Lane (Cochranville,
Pa./Octorara) collected the ball and was headed to goal
when he was brought down in the box by a Blue Jay defender.
Senior Matt Beale (Baltimore, Md./Archbishop
Curley) confidently stepped to the spot and knocked a
ripper that resulted in the eventual game-winning tally for the
Spartans. Mierley almost made the save but the ball slipped
just under him and trickled across the goal line.
With 1:35 left to play, it looked as if the Blue Jays would even
the score when Max Venker snapped a header toward the far upper
corner of the Spartan goal. York netminder Kyle Marks
(Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury) proved up to the challenge as the
junior batted the ball away from danger to preserve the victory.
Midfielder Ryan Eaton (Horsham,
Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) played exceptionally well for the
Spartans in his nearly 25 minutes of action. The insertion of
the 6-foot, 205- pound senior mid-way through the second half
provided an intimidating presence in the Spartan midfield in what
was very physical match.
On the night, York led in shots 14-11 while the sides drew even
in corners with three apiece.
Marks earns his 14th victory of 2007 for the Spartans collecting
five saves over his 90 minutes of work. Mierley takes the
loss in the Blue Jay goal as he recorded four saves on the evening.
This Saturday, the green and white travel to Fredericksburg, Va.
to take on Capital Athletic Conference rival Mary Washington in a
crucial conference battle. The Spartans' final CAC
match of the regular season kicks-off at 1:00 pm.
GAME
BOX
