September 07, 2009 5:36 AM
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Men's Soccer
Panthers Outlast Illinois Wesleyan to win the Titan Classic
Panthers find a way to win at Titan Classic
Bloomington, IL-A 79th minute goal by Junior captain
Spencer Brown proved to be the decider as the Panthers outlasted a good Titan team 3-2 to win the Titan Classic on Sunday night in Bloomington, IL.
Senior
Yaw Danso opened up the proceedings with another wonder strike, albeit a charity one from the Wesleyan keeper who failed to stop a speculative shot from 40 yards following an exchange with
Colin Angle. Having gifted enough goals this season, the panthers were ready to be on the receiving end following an up and down week. In the 18th minute the Titans leveled the score off a good combination sequence that left the panthers central defenders tracking no one. The rest of the half was a stalemate as both sides tried to control tempo and the panthers efforts were rewarded in the 38th minute when
Paul Olsen picked off a ball in the middle of the park to free
Ricky Seaman through the seams. Seaman was all business as he calmly slotted the ball past the advancing 6ft 4' keeper to notch his fourth goal of the season and in the process tying the modern day Principia Career scoring mark at 40. Coach Otieno was however “all smiles” as the curtain falls on his scoring mark that stood since 1991-92 season. “Records are meant to be broken and this one has had its time and I hope he breaks it at home against Rhodes College on Friday” said coach Otieno. “He deserves every bit of the accolades that come his way,” Otieno said.
As the game wore on the Panthers marking broke down when a Titan winger unseated
Ricardo Jordao down the right flank and with no help arriving picked up a fellow unmarked Titan in the box to even the score in the 69th minute. Following this play, Brown who was deputizing at the right back for most of the day moved to his traditional forward spot and wasted no time getting involved. A good interchange on the flanks resulted in a brilliant service to the back post where Brown leapt the highest to nod home the winner in the 79th minute to bring his tally to 2 goals in this young season.
Other notables on the day included a great showing by sophomore transfer
Garrett Bourcier who stepped in to fill the left full back spot and could have easily been man of the match. Danso however put his stamp in this young season thus far and was the tournament MVP while Bourcier, Seaman,
Samuel Thomas, and
Elliot Rybak, all made the All-Tournament team. A good outing for the Panthers but plenty of work to be done as they welcome Rhodes College on Friday night in the home opener in Elsah at 7pm.
