Oct. 17, 2007

Final Stats

BALTIMORE, MD - The #9 York Spartans converted a late penalty kick and held off a final push by #11 Hopkins to take a 2-1 win in non-conference action at historic Homewood Field Wednesday night. The Blue Jays fall to 13-2-0 on the year, while the Spartans improve to 15-1-0.

In the 12th minute, freshman forward David Drake (Medford, NJ/Shawnee) was pulled off the ball by a York defender on a breakaway and the Blue Jays were awarded a penalty kick. Sophomore Nick Gauna (Evanston, IL/Evanston) stepped to the line and converted his third penalty kick of the season to give Hopkins the early 1-0 lead.

York drew even in the 40th minute when a long ball was played in from the right side. Sophomore goalie Matt Mierley (Weston, FL/St. Thomas Aquinas) came out to the top of the box to challenge and collided with a Spartan player. Jason Mancuso one-touched the ball to Matthew Detzel who fired a long shot from about 18 yards out to make it a 1-1 game.

Both teams had their chances in the second half and the Spartans were the ones to grab the go-ahead goal in the 77th minute. After a Blue Jays' foul inside their own box, the Spartans were awarded a penalty kick. Matt Beale took the kick, firing low to the left. Mierley got his body on the ball, however, when he tried to control the ball, it squirted underneath him and across the goal line.

The Blue Jays had a great chance in the 89th minute to get the equalizer. Sophomore Max Venker's (Oldsmar, FL/Palm Harbor University High) header was headed for the upper right corner when Kyle Marks punched it. The Blue Jays were unable to convert the corner kick and the Spartans held on for the 2-1 win. Mierley finished with four saves while Marks finished with five.

Hopkins returns to action on Saturday at #18 Franklin & Marshall. The Centennial Conference match-up is set for 7:00 pm in Lancaster, PA.