Live Video l Live Stats I Game notes
PITTSBURGH, Pa.- For the first time in the program's Division II history, the West Chester University men's soccer team (16-2-5) is preparing for the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer National Championship Game against Barry University (15-4-3) on Saturday afternoon at 12 p.m.
Fans who purchased an all-session pass at the games on Thursday will be able to gain entry to the game on Saturday with that ticket while all other fans will need to purchase a single game ticket for $15 plus applicable fees. Additionally, parking in lots around the stadium is limited and will be $10 for fans wishing to park next to the stadium.
Additionally, there will be a watch party at Barnaby's in downtown West Chester beginning at 12 p.m. for those who cannot make the trek across state to cheer on the Golden Rams.
West Chester enters the contest after another one-goal victory as the Golden Rams used an overtime tally from
Jason Pixley (Philadelphia, Pa./Central) to defeat the Broncos of Cal Poly Pomona on Thursday afternoon, 2-1. The Broncos opened the scoring in the 56th minute to jump out to an early 1-0 lead. The lead did not last very long as
Eric Greer (Chadds Ford, Pa.) netted his first collegiate goal in the 61st minute, after the ball was tipped out to the top of the box. Each side threatened over the course of the final 29 minutes of regulation, but neither team could score the game-winner in regulation, which sent West Chester to overtime for the seventh time this season. In overtime, Pixley played the role of hero for the team-best seventh time this season scoring the game-winner on a flying header off an assist from
Daniel Grindrod (Feasterville,Pa./Neshaminy) to give West Chester the thrilling 2-1 overtime victory.
Doug Goitia (Mt. Pocono, Pa./Pocono Mountain East) remains the Golden Rams' leading scorer with eight goals and three assists for a total of 19 points on the year while teammate Pixley is now tied for second on the team with 17 points thanks to eight goals and one assist. Pixley is tied with another sophomore in
Stephen Thompson (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley), who has been incredible in the NCAA Tournament as he has scored three goals while also registering one assist to improve his total to six goals and five assists on the year.
Will Marshall (North Versailles, Pa./East Allegheny) has been incredible in 2018 as he has become one of the great goalkeepers in program history as he holds the single-season wins record with 15 while also sitting atop the single-season shutout and goals against average charts.
Barry enters off a thrilling semifinal of its own that officially ended as a draw, before the Bucs advanced 5-4 on penalty kicks following eight great rounds of PKs. The Barry defense was stifling in this contest as the Buccaneers managed to shutdown one of the most dangerous offenses in Division II in the Tigers of Fort Hays State (Kan.), who were led by Division II Conference Commissioners Association Player of the Year Santiago Agudelo, who scored 26 goals on the year while taking just 57 shots on goal. Barry goalkeeper Marco Sordi was outstanding as he made seven huge saves plus another three great stops in PKs, which allowed him to record his ninth shutout of the season while also helping his team advance to the national championship game for the first time since the end of 2000 season.
Flavio Colasanti has been the Buc's leading scorer as he has scored 12 goals while also tallying five assists for a total of 29 points on the year. Francisco Greco is second on the team in scoring, after registering six goals and seven assists for a total of 19 points on the year. Luca De Biase is third on the team with 14 points, after scoring five goals and four assists while James Kirkham is the final Buccaneer in double-figures for points with 10, after scoring four goals while also adding two assists. Sordi has been the primary goalkeeper for Barry so far this season as he has played to a record of 13-4-2 with a 0.91 goals against average and a .822 save percentage. Alexander Kortus has also seem time between the pipes this season as he has played to a perfect record of 2-0-0 with a 0.49 goals against average over the course of his 185 minutes in goal.
