Davidson College
Georgia Southern
Georgia Southern Edges Davidson Men’s Soccer In SoCon Opener, 3-2
9/26/2011 8:30:00 PM | Men's Soccer
STATESBORO, Ga. – Sophomore Chris Pettiglio brought Davidson within one in the 75th minute, but Georgia Southern's three first half goals were enough for a 3-2 victory Monday in a Southern Conference men's soccer match that concluded nearly 29 hours after it was originally scheduled to be kicked-off.
The game was originally scheduled to begin Sunday at 2 p.m. but multiple lightning delays ultimately forced the game to be postponed until Monday at 3 p.m. The teams managed to get 67 minutes of play in Sunday with Davidson holding a 1-0 lead on a goal by senior Garrett Bostwick, but since the game did not reach the 70-minute mark, none of the stats counted as per NCAA rules, and the game was restarted at 0-0 Monday at 3 p.m.
Hunter Norton scored the game's first goal for Georgia Southern (5-2-1, 1-0 SoCon) just over a minute in from five yards out. Luigi Clendening then extended the lead over Davidson (4-3-1, 0-1 SoCon) in the 15th minute on a penalty kick goal.
“Every Southern Conference match is ultra-competitive and up for grabs,” said Davidson head coach Matt Spear. “Georgia Southern got off to a great start with two early goals, and before we caught our rhythm, we were playing from behind, which is always difficult to do on the road.”
Senior Greg Macnamara halved the lead in the 31st minute with his second goal in as many games, sending a laser from 35 yards out past the Eagles' keeper, but Georgia Southern extended the lead shortly after to 3-1 with a goal by Witt Carlisle, assisted by Norton.
Pettiglio scored from inside the 18-yard box for his first career goal to bring Davidson within one in the second half, but the 'Cats were unable to get the equalizing goal.
“Pettiglio's goal was great and it made the end of the match exciting and compelling,” said Spear. “We were able to climb back and claw our way back into the game, but it wasn't enough today. To allow three goals was too much.”
With four minutes, 51 seconds remaining, lightning resulted in another delay that lasted one hour, 40 minutes. The game concluded at 6:46 p.m. for a total game time of three hours, 46 minutes.
Sophomore Nick Grube managed to get a shot on goal in the waning seconds but Ryan Platt made his sixth and final save of the day. Davidson senior goalkeeper Chip Sanders made two saves.
The Wildcats had their chances offensively, holding the edge in shots, 13-10, while Georgia Southern led in corner kicks, 5-4. Junior Brian McGue led Davidson with four shots, two of which were on goal.
Davidson will compete in its fourth consecutive road match Wednesday at Wake Forest, beginning at 7 p.m. The 'Cats return to Alumni Stadium Tuesday, Oct. 4 against Duke, with kick-off at 7 p.m.
“We have a great opportunity to play an ACC on the team on the road in two nights, and I can't wait to see how our guys respond to this loss,” said Spear.
Notes: Davidson had been victorious in two previous road games marred by lightning delays (Air Force and Campbell) … Macnamara's second goal of the season gives the defender his first-career multi-goal season … it was also the first goal of his collegiate career that was not either a game-winning or game-tying tally … the 'Cats will play nearly three games in four days when they play Wake Forest Wednesday, but will have five days off before they host Duke … Davidson is now 18-9-2 all-time against Georgia Southern.
