Gonzaga University
San Diego
Overtime Penalty Kick Dooms Gonzaga In 1-0 Setback
11/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 8, 2009
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - For the fourth time this West Coast Conference road season a penalty kick went against Gonzaga University, this time league-leading University of San Diego converting in overtime for a 1-0 men's soccer victory Sunday.
The Bulldogs (6-9-3; 3-7-1) were called for a hard foul on the Toreros (12-4-1; 8-1-1) Ryan Peterman in the box on the left side at 90:32 and JT Howlan converted the ensuing penalty kick. Howlan lined up the shot, double pumped with a stutter-step stall halfway through the run up and shot into the lower 90 past a diving keeper Scott Barnum.
The Bulldogs lost 1-0 at Santa Clara University when the Broncos were awarded a penalty kick in the final minute of regulation. The University of Portland got an early penalty kick on their way to five unanswered goals in a 5-1 victory, and Friday at Loyola Marymount University the Lions were awarded a PK, and although Barnum stopped the initial kick the rebound was put back for the equalizing goal in a match LMU went on to win 2-1.
Gonzaga was swept on its southern California trip as the Bulldogs lost for the fourth time in their last five outings. Gonzaga has 10 points and fell out of a tie with LMU, the Lions with 13 points after taking a 1-0 win over Portland Sunday. The Bulldogs hold a one-point lead over the University of San Francisco as the Dons headed into Sunday night's match with visiting Saint Mary's College.
USD now has 25 points atop the WCC standings and will take at least a three-point lead into the final weekend of action pending the outcome of Sunday night's SMC match at the University of San Francisco. SMC has 19 points heading into Sunday's match.
Barnum, who had a career and season-high 12 saves in Friday's 2-1 setback at LMU, was tough in goal again with seven saves, running his Gonzaga single-season record to 99.
The best opportunity in the first half went to the Toreros, Stephen Posa getting free on a breakaway, dribbling to 15 yards and his low shot saved as Barnum dove to his right.
Barnum made another diving save in the 61st minute when Patrick Wallen had a clear, low shot from 17 yards. Barnum was called on again in the 68th minute when Dan Delgado's shot from 20 yards was saved by Barnum.
The Toreros had another breakaway in the 69th minute, Nolan Chandler going in on the left wing and launching a shot from 12 yards that the Gonzaga defense was able to block.
The only save USD keeper Kelin Briones was called on to make came in the 70th minute when Tye Perdido gained control from 35 yards, took a few short dribbles and drilled a low line drive at Briones that he went to the ground to save.
The Bulldogs had just three shots, while USD had 14 shots, eight of them on goal.
Gonzaga was without senior defender Tim Muravez who picked up his fifth yellow card of the season Friday, five yellow cards resulting in an automatic one-match suspension.
The Bulldogs return home Friday to close out the season against USF for a 1 p.m. match. Gonzaga's seniors will be honored in pre-match festivities.
