Wednesday, September 30
Davidson, N.C.
7:00 p.m.
Davidson College
7-1, 1-0SoCon
3
vs
2
Coll. of Charleston
6-4, 0-1SoCon
1
2
OT 2
F
COFC
2
0
0
2
Davidson
0
2
1
3
Yannick Pilgrim helped ignite yet another comeback win for the 'Cats.
Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com
'Cats Erase Two-Goal Deficit; Defeat CofC On Caskey's OT Penalty Kick
9/30/2009 11:16:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Photo Gallery
DAVIDSON, N.C. – The Davidson men's soccer team came from behind to win for the third time in the last four matches, defeating the College of Charleston in the Southern Conference opener on an overtime penalty kick by junior midfielder Alex Caskey on Wednesday night in Alumni Stadium. Davidson improved to 7-1, 1-0 SoCon, while the CofC fell to 6-4, 0-1 SoCon.
The College of Charleston held a 2-0 lead until the 72nd minute when sophomore defender Allen Page headed in a Charlie Reiter corner kick. Fifty-nine seconds later, Reiter scored off a perfect cross from junior forward Yannick Pilgrim. Just 2:18 into overtime, senior forward Machel Turner was fouled within in the six-yard box, resulting in a penalty kick attempt for Caskey. The reigning Southern Conference Player of the Week converted to secure Davidson's second overtime win of the season.
“I was excited to take [the penalty kick] knowing that as long as I put it in, the game would be over,” said Caskey. “Winning our first conference game is huge.”
Reiter scored three points and now has 16 total (5 goals, team-leading 6 assists) to lead the team. Caskey's goal was his team-high sixth of the season.
The Wildcats' offense doubled their shot output in the second half with 14 attempts to CofC's four. The 'Cats outshot CofC 22-10 for the match.
The win extends the 'Cats win-streak to five games and keeps them on track to match the start of the 1990 season, in which Davidson opened at 10-1.
“The guys responded again down 2-0 and showed great character,” said head coach Matt Spear. “They stuck with the game plan and didn't panic.”
Zach Prince scored first for CofC at 18:24. Matt Morris delivered the ball to Prince in the goal box near the left post. Davidson goalkeeper Chip Sanders came out to challenge, but Prince poked the ball to his right and it trickled in just inside the far-post.
Morris created CofC's second opportunity as well, feeding the ball to Francis Twohig just outside the 18-yard box in the center of the field. Twohig was able to elude a Davidson defender and rip the ball past Sanders for the 2-0 lead.
“At halftime, just like the High Point game, we told them that they just made two mistakes and that they could make up for it,” said Spear. “They just had to play sharper in the back and be smarter with the ball.”
Davidson increased the offensive pressure in the second half, but was not able to score until there were less than 20 minutes remaining. On Davidson's fifth corner kick of the game, Reiter's pass from the far corner sailed across the goal box where the six-feet, four-inch tall Page was able to head it in at the goal line next to the far-side post.
The 'Cats did not relent on the ensuing possession, driving the ball down the right flank of the pitch. Pilgrim crossed the ball to a charging Reiter, who ripped a hard shot into the upper right corner of the net to even the match at two.
“Charlie's technique is about as good as anyone's that you will see in the country,” said coach and recruiting coordinator Kevin O'Brien. “That's not the first-time I have seen him strike balls like that. He does that regularly in training and it's the mark of a class player.”
The game went to overtime where Turner was fouled to give Caskey the penalty kick opportunity. The Dunwoody, Ga. native came through, powering it past goalkeeper Michael Flato. The goal was Caskey's third penalty kick tally and his second game-winner.
Flato made seven saves total, while Sanders made three.
“It was great to beat South Carolina last weekend, but winning in the conference is more important,” said Spear. “This game had much more urgency and intensity as a result. I'm really proud that we won tonight, but more proud that we started conference play 1-0.”
Davidson will next face SoCon foe Georgia Southern on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Statesboro, Ga. They will next play in Alumni Stadium on Tuesday at 7 p.m. against No. 12 Duke.
Team Stats
COFC
DAV
Goals
2
3
Shots
10
22
Shots on Goal
5
10
Saves
7
3
Corners
0
5
Fouls
21
10
Scoring Plays
Zach Prince (3)
Assisted By: Matt Morris
shot in goal from near post, trickled in
18:24
Francis Twohig (4)
Assisted By: Matt Morris
split defenders inside 18-yard box
44:34
Allen Page (2)
Assisted By: Charlie Reiter
header of corner to near post
71:03
Charlie Reiter (5)
Assisted By: Yannick Pilgrim
cross from farside, shot from 20 yards o
72:02
Alex Caskey (6)
DAV Alex Caskey PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 6 for season.
92:18
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
3
SOG
3
Goals
1
Assists
1
Shots
8
SOG
3
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
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