Men’s soccer overcomes halftime deficit, missed penalty, to defeat Illinois Wesleyan

Jon Lewis | Senior Sports Editor

When soccer teams defend set pieces, it is standard practice to place a defender or two on the goal line to deflect any balls headed towards the net. Most of the time these defenders do not do that much; either the ball is saved by the goalkeeper or they cannot make a play on the shot. However, this Sunday, with the Washington University men’s soccer team clinging to a one goal lead against Illinois Wesleyan, a defender on the line saved the match for the Bears.

With 52 seconds left play, the Titans won a throw in deep in Wash. U. territory, which was flung into the penalty area. An Illinois Wesleyan player won the header and directed the ball goal wards. Senior defender Andrew Zingone was waiting on the line and flung himself at the ball, heading it behind for a corner kick. After a brief scramble on the ensuing play, senior goalie Colin McCune claimed the ball and the clock ticked away, sealing a 2-1 win for the Bears.

Players celebrate during the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer match between Illinois Wesleyan and the  Bears at Francis Field on the campus of Washington University.Danny Reise/WUSTL Photos

Players celebrate during the NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer match between Illinois Wesleyan and the Bears at Francis Field on the campus of Washington University.

The game did not start so smoothly for Wash. U., however. The Titans took the lead off of a header just eight minutes into the match, and it took the Bears much of the game to find the equalizer. It looked for a moment like Wash. U. would respond immediately when they won a penalty kick just seven minutes later. Senior Chris Reiger stepped up, but saw his spot kick saved by Illinois Wesleyan goalkeeper Joey Johnson, and the Bears would be unable to find a breakthrough for the rest of the first half.

Wash. U. finally managed to claw its way back into the game early in the second half, when junior striker Ryan Sproule pounced on a cross from freshman Andrew Brunetti. Sproule’s shot deflected off a Illinois Wesleyan defender and into the net. The equalizing goal continued Sproule’s hot start to his third year with the Bears; he has found the net five times in as many games.

From there, the Bears pushed to find the winning goal, which would come ten minutes later. After a Wash. U. corner was only halfway cleared by the Titans, the ball fell to junior Camilo Haller at the top of the box. Haller brought the ball down and rifled a left-footed shot into the net from twenty yards.

The match from that point was played even, with the Wash. U. defense holding out against heavy pressure from Illinois Wesleyan. Zingone dramatic clearance at the end of the game stifled the Titans’ best chance to level things, and the Bears picked up their fourth win of the season.

Wash. U. is yet to lose this year, and have to date only conceded two goals. They will put their undefeated record to the test this weekend when they travel to take on Wheaton College in Illinois.

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