#4 Gardner-Webb Falls in Overtime Heartbreak, 2-1, Versus #5 Radford in Big South Quarterfinal Match
November 13, 2013 | Men's Soccer
Boiling Springs, N.C. - Radford leading scorer Bernardo Ulmo netted the golden goal in the 98th minute off a cross from teammate Ramzi Dridi to propel the visiting fifth-seededHighlanders to a 2-1 overtime win over fourth seed Gardner-Webb in Big South Men's Soccer Quarterfinal action Tuesday night at Greene-Harbison Field.
Ulmo's goal in the 98th minute marked the second Highlander goal allowed by the Runnin' Bulldogs after the intermission.
GWU went on top 1-0 early on Iman Mafi's third goal of the season, when the heady midfielder received a nifty pass All-Big South forward Denzel Clarke. The junior, Atlanta, Ga. product fought off a Radford defender and the pull of gravity to get the ball to Mafi while falling to the ground at the top of the 18 yard box. Mafi collected the ball and fired a shot past Highlander keeper Dane Wilson to give the Runnin' Bulldogs a lead that would hold until the 70th minute of the match.
A major turning point in what was a physical contest between the Highlanders and Runnin' Bulldogs came in the 62nd minute when defender Bryce Wells was charged with his second yellow card of the match, forcing his removal from the match as well GWU to play a man down for the duration of Tuesday's contest.
Radford took advantage eight minutes later, pressing its numbers forward and getting a goal from Sergio Arzubiaga, who found the back of the net off an assist from Joe Mayer to net the equalizer and knot the scoring at 1-1.
The goal marked the first of the season for Arzubiaga.
GWU fought despite its numbers disadvantage, getting threatening offensive looks from Clarke late in the 2nd half in front of a packed house on a chilly night in Boiling Springs.
Clarke, who finished the match with a match-high 5 shots (1 on goal), challenged the keeper Wilson in the 77th minute by shooting the ball low and towards the right post after a heel pass from Sami Jilla afforded Clarke the straight-on space. Wilson stepped up, diving to his left to get just enough of the ball to deflect the ball off the post. The Radford defense cleared the ball away, and the score remained 1-1.
A long who from the left side by Clarke a minute later flew just wide of the right post. Jilla had a shot blocked in the 84th minute, and another scoring bid from Clarke went wide in the 85th minute as the contest moved to overtime after an even 90 minutes of action.
Mafi nearly ended it for GWU in the 97th minute, out-maneuvering the Radford defense off the backline and firing a shot that ended up on frame. Wilson crouched to swallow the ball with both arms and keep the Runnin' Bulldogs off the scoreboard.
Radford countered 41 seconds later when Dridi found Ulmo on a cross that went from the left side of the pitch to the right. Ulmo extended his right leg to get a foot on the ball before GWU keeper Matthew Swan could corral it, and the ball found the back of the net to send Radford to the Big South Semifinals with a 2-1 OT win.
The Highlanders' win marks the second overtime triumph against the Runnin' Bulldogs this season. GWU fell at Radford, 2-1, on a 99th minute golden goal earlier this fall.
GWU's All-Freshman keeper, Swan, made five saves in taking the loss, with his record moving to 9-8-1 on the season. Wilson picked up the win, tallying three saves and improving to 9-6-4 in 2013.
#5 Radford advances to face #1 Coastal Carolina in a semifinal matchup as play in the 2013 Big South Men's Soccer Tournament moves to Bryan Park in Greensboro, N.C. The match between the Highlanders and the Chanticleers is scheduled to be played this coming Friday.
| Box Score: Radford 2, Gardner-Webb 1 OT |
