(Story Courtesy of Colorado College Sports Information Department)
MEDFORD, Mass., -- The spectacular postseason run for the Colorado College men's soccer team ended on Sunday, November 19, in six rounds of penalty kicks to Washington and Lee University after a 0-0 tie.
W&L blocked two of CC's attempts to elevate them to the Final Four. It was the third consecutive game that went into overtime for the Tigers and the second of the last three that went into PKs.
CC finishes the year 15-3-3 and has a plethora of accolades to look back on from the season, including a regular season SCAC title, three NCAA Tournament wins and the first NCAA Quarterfinal appearance in 30 years.
"That was just a great game," head coach Scott Palguta said. "I think we were anticipating that, two evenly matched teams. There were certainly stretches of the game where I thought we were playing very well and were on top, first half especially."
The possession in the first half was split 50/50 between the two teams. Both Tigers and Generals got good looks on net, but the defenses persevered to keep it knotted up at the halftime break.
CC outshot W&L 3-2 in the first half; Alexander Ward and Jack Hillard were the lone shot-takers for the Tigers as Ward got off two, with both being between the frame. Neither of the shots taken by the Generals were on target.
All the shots were taken in the first 15 minutes, as neither team could find another for the remaining 31 minutes of the half. Ward's first was attempted in the first two minutes after the Tigers drew a foul just outside the box. The free kick resulted in the shot for CC, but W&L keeper Will Joseph made the save.
The second came in the 15th minute by Ward towards the lower left corner of the net, but Joseph shut it down again.
In the second, the Generals got their first shot on the net opportunity in the 46th minute after Hale got called for a tripping call that resulted in a yellow card just outside the box. Evan DiPaula aimed at keeper Jasper Broad, who made the easy save.
The intensity continued to pick up as both offenses lasered off shots in the first few minutes of the second half. The Generals racked up four in the first ten minutes, none again of which were on target.
The half continued with both teams splitting possessions and shots. The Generals had 13 shots to the Tigers' five in the second half, but none found the back of the net.
"Every game is just razer thin," Palguta said. "There isn't much separating teams once you get to the tournament. The parity in college soccer has never been better. Some didn't bounce our way there at the end."
Overtime was eventually forced, and it was much of the same story.
The best look of the overtime periods came in the 105th minute as Oliver Ramirez sped downfield with only one man to beat and launched the ball off his right foot toward the right side of the net, but it went high.
Broad blocked DiPaula's first attempt in penalty kicks, but Will Joseph countered by saving Charlie Wagner’s attempt. Both teams would trade successful attempts until the sixth round when Joseph guessed correctly, and blocked Rex Karjian’s attempt to secure W&L's Final Four spot.
There were 30 fouls total as the Generals committed 17 to CC"s 13. W&L ended the game with 24 shots to CC's nine, but only six of the General's shots were on target, while the Tigers had three on goal.
Webster, Ward and Hilliard all had two shots taken.
"I'm really proud of these guys," Palguta said. "I think they play the game the right way, and they represent us the right way; they're fantastic students, wonderful teammates and just great guys to be around. You win some, you lose some, but the way you go about your business matters. I couldn't be prouder of how this team attacks every day."
