Tribe Shutout Streak Comes to a Close

W&M fell at Drexel, 1-0, ending a 355:57 shutout streak.

11/02/07 11:30PM

Philadelphia, Pa. - The William and Mary men’s soccer team saw its shutout streak come to an end at 355:57 as Drexel downed the Tribe, 1-0, on the strength of a second-half goal. The College had shut out three straight opponents entering the contest against the Dragons. The Tribe dropped to 8-7-3 overall and 5-3-1 in the CAA, while Drexel upped its mark to 10-4-2 on the season and 7-2 in league play.

It looked as though the Tribe would find the scoring column first less than eight minutes into the second half. After earning a foul near the touch line 15 yards into their offensive zone, the Tribe served a ball into the penalty area where Drexel goalkeeper Corey Robertson punched the service away. In the aerial melee that ensued, Robertson fell to the turf, leaving the goal unattended. Sophomore striker Price Thomas gathered the ball and got off a quick shot, but the Drexel defenders were able reacted quickly and deflect the attempt wide of the goal for a corner kick.

The College placed a pair of attempts on goal in the 56th and 58th minutes, but Robertson made two of his six saves on the night to keep the College after the board. Robertson denied chances from senior midfielder Doug Ernst in the 56th minute, before blocking a chance from redshirt freshman forward Alan Koger two minutes later.

Pat McCaffery scored what proved to be the game-winner in the 66th minute. The marker was set up as the Dragons drew a foul 25 yards from goal on the left side. Fabio Assumpcao slid the ball to Anthony Bafile who carried to toward the end line and then lifted a low cross to the far post. McCaffery sprinted in from the wing and volley a shot into the back of the Tribe net.

The Tribe pressed forward in search of the equalizer, but could not find the tying marker. The College produced a trio of shots and two corners over the final 10 minutes, but freshman Nathaniel Baako’s chance in the 81st minute and junior Brock Jones’ attempt in the 87th minute were blocked, while sophomore Roger Bothe lifted his shot, three minutes from full time, high of the frame.

Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Andrew McAdams finished with nine saves in net for the College. Koger and Thomas led the Tribe with three shots apiece.

The Tribe will return to action against at Delaware on Sunday, Nov. 4. The game is slated for a 1 p.m. start time and can be followed over the Internet with live stats. Fans can access the live stats by following the link on the schedule page at TribeAthletics.com or visiting the Delaware Athletics Web Site.

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