Freshmen help Drew Roll past SUNY-Old Westbury
9/4/2010 10:02:10 PM
Freshmen Help Drew Roll Past SUNY-Old Westbury
Box Score
MADISON, N.J. (September 4, 2010) - The Rangers closed out round one of Drew Fall Festival in quite the dramatic manner. Falling behind 1-0 in the first half, the Rangers showed their determination and rallied from a goal down by scoring two-straight goals including one in the second overtime to pull out the 2-1 victory.
The Panthers, of SUNY-Old Westbury, got on the board first in the 19th minute when Anthony Ippolito sent a shot sailing from 40-yards out that went right between the fingers of the goalkeeper and the crossbar. The Rangers came back fighting, taking 13 shots on goal in the first but could not find the back of the net.
The Rangers offense came out of the gates firing in the second half, taking 12 more shots on goal. Finally in the 62nd minute, freshman Matthew Gragnano (Hazlet, N.J. / Christian Brothers Academy) was able to sneak one past SUNY-Old Westbury's diving goalie. Gragnano dribbled from the right side of the 18 and crossed the ball into the lower left corner of the net. Just two games into his young career, Gragnano is the team's the leading scorer with three goals.
The tournament format called for two 10 minute, golden goal overtime periods. Drew came out on the offensive, outshooting the Panthers in the first overtime, just as they had in regulation. It wasn't until the second extra frame that captain Matthew Greenberg (Franklin Lakes, N.J. / Indian Hills) found freshman Craig Wagenblast (Toms River, N.J. / Toms River East) streaking down the left side of the field. With a perfectly placed pass, Wagenblast sent the ball into the lower left corner of the goal to seal the deal for the Rangers.
Senior Jeff Rogers (Eldenburg, Md. / Century), not seeing much action in goal had 2 saves on the night for Drew.
This win makes Drew men's soccer record at Fall Fest 38-7-6. The Rangers return tomorrow to try and capture their 15th Fall Festival Title. The Rangers will take on Keystone College, who defeated the College of Staten Island 2-1 in the early game, at 4:00 on Sunday in Ranger Stadium.