Oct. 31, 2004
Box Score
Philadelphia, Pa.--With 51 seconds left in the second overtime period Dominick Balsamo drove a corner kick into the goal box where Joe Banks blasted a header into the net, giving Drexel (5-11-0, 2-6 CAA) men's soccer the 1-0 victory in an epic match against George Mason (7-10-1, 3-5-0 CAA).
The Dragons' victory could bump the Patriots out of contention for the final spot in the Colonial Athletic Association playoffs, pending the result of Towson's match against Virgina Commonwealth.
Banks' goal capped 109 minutes of intense soccer that saw the Dragon defense, playing without two starters, fend off 19 shots by the Patriots. On Senior Day at Vidas Field Jim Greco showed why he's been so valuable to Drexel soccer over the past four years, making eight saves and successfully breaking up nine George Mason corner kicks for his third shutout of the season and 12th in his career.
Despite entering overtime in a scoreless tie, both teams had plenty of scoring opportunities with the help of a strong prevailing wind throughout the match.
Drexel fended off a flurry of shots three minutes into the game stemming from a George Mason corner kick. Tim Mochan and Mike Hines blocked two volleys while standing on the goal line as the last line of defense. Greco made two saves with attackers on his doorstep during the barrage as Dragons emerged unscathed.
With wind at their backs in the second half, Dragons got their best scoring chance two minutes into the period. Balsamo caught the Patriot defense off-guard on a defensive clear. Jack Przednowek caught up to the ball, blowing past two defenders to go one-on-one with George Mason goal keeper John O'Hara. The freshman tried to flick his shot past O'Hara but the diving keeper timed his dive to deflect the shot away.
In the waning seconds of regulation freshman Greg Hartlein launched his 5-foot-10 frame over Patriot defenders to win a header, flicking it to Balsamo who tried to lift it over the goalie's head but the keeper just managed to get a hand on it for the save, one of O'Hara's two saves in the contest.
The Patriots will return to action on Nov. 5 when they host James Madison at George Mason Stadium on Senior Day with kick-off at 7 p.m.
Scoring Summary
Drexel- 0 0 0 1 - 1
Mason- 0 0 0 0 - 0
Individual Scoring
109:09 Drexel Banks (Balsamo)
Shots- G 19, D 8
Corners- G 9, D 4
Fouls- G 20, D 10
Saves- Mason: John O'Hara, 2. Drexel: Jim Greco, 8.
