Zags Fall in First OT Match of Season
10/20/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
SAN FRANCISCO—The Gonzaga University men's soccer team nearly escaped the Bay Area with four-point weekend, but it wasn't meant to be as a 109th minute goal by the University of San Francisco downed the Zags in double overtime at Negoesco Stadium in San Francisco.
The Dons scored the game winner at the 108:01 mark, eight minutes into the second overtime period. Aaron Lombardi netted his second goal of the game by knocking in a cross from Miguel Aguilar from close range for the game winner..
The goal ended a pair of overtime periods that gave both chances for a golden goal. Jakob Granlund took all three of Gonzaga's shots in the first overtime, two of which were on frame. The Zags also earned a corner kick in the second overtime period for a shot at the three points. San Francisco took five shots in the final 18 minutes, three on goal.
San Francisco broke onto the scoresheet two minutes into the second half. The Gonzaga defense cleared a ball out from in front of the goalmouth, but only as far as Lombardi at the edge of the area. He placed a shot past the outstretched hands of Gonzaga keeper Ben Willis and into the net for the game's first goal.
Gonzaga came right back with a goal three minutes later. The visitors drew a penalty after a Gonzaga attacker was fouled in the area. Clark Phillips stepped up and calmly slotted the PK past Houser to level the match. With the successful conversion, the senior remains a perfect 4-for-4 on penalty kicks in a Gonzaga uniform.
The first half was a back-and-forth affair between the two squads. The Dons held more of the possession during the period while Gonzaga kept up with dangerous counter attacks. Both sides attempted six shots in the opening 45 minutes with the Zags putting four on frame and the Dons placing three on target. Phillips was particularly sharp as he took three of those first-half shots for the Zags, all three of which were on target.
"It was our plan play the counter coming into the match, and the guys played it to perfection today. We had really good chances early in the game," said Gonzaga men's soccer head coach Einar Thorarinsson.
Granlund led the Zags with five shots, two on frame, while Phillips attempted four shots, all four of which were on target. In goal, Willis made eight saves, the most of his young career and the most of any Zag keeper this season. He made three of those in both the first and second halves and added two more in the first overtime period.
With the overtime loss, their first match with extra time of the season, the Zags fall to 3-10-0 on the season and 1-1-0 in conference play.
After playing 10 of their first 13 matches on the road, the Bulldogs will finally return home to Luger Field in Spokane, Wash., for their next two contests. The home games, against San Diego and Loyola Marymount, will have to wait, however, as the Zags have a bye next weekend. Their next match will be Friday, Oct.31, versus San Diego at 2:00 p.m.
