BEAVER FALLS, Pa. – Tied at one with seconds left in the match,
Will Gruca (Baden, Pa./Ambridge) scored on a long free kick as the Allegheny men's soccer team picked up a 2-1 win on the road at Geneva Saturday (Oct. 4) in President's Athletic Conference (PAC) action.
The teams went back and forth for the opening 30 minutes before the Golden Tornadoes scored the first goal of the contest. The goal happened on a header off a corner kick.
The Gators tied the game up on a goal in the 41st minute.
Jed Smith (Easton, Md./Easton) passed the ball through a crowd to
Ransom Perkins (Columbus, Ohio/St. Charles Preparatory School). Perkins took the ball just inside the box and launched a shot towards the top corner for the tally.
Geneva kept the pressure up offensively in the second half, but the Gators defense held strong in front of goalkeeper
Cadan Bennett (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland).
The game nearly ended in a 1-1 draw before some Gator heroics in the final minute. With just seconds left on the clock, the Gators drew a foul. They set up the free kick from about 33 yards out. Gruca stepped up for the attempt from the near side of the field. He sent his shot over the Geneva defenders and goalkeeper, tucking it just inside the far post for the game winning goal.
Inside the Box
- Geneva struck first with a goal in the 31st minute.
- Perkins, assisted by Hill, tied the game in the 41st minute.
- Gruca scored the game-winner in the 90th minute on a free kick. The goal was his team-leading sixth of the year
- Bennett finished with three saves.
News and Notes
- Allegheny is now 5-7-2 all-time against Geneva.
- Perkins scored his second collegiate goal.
- Smith recorded his first career point with an assist.
- Gruca scored his 14th career goal.
Up Next
The Gators return to Meadville Wednesday (Oct. 8) against Washington and Jefferson.
