BOILING SPRINGS, NC— The start to the 2008 season didn’t go exactly the way Winthrop would have liked after falling 1-0 in double-overtime to Belmont in the opening game of the Soccer For A Cure Classic on the campus of Gardner-Webb University.
The game-winning goal came on a mistake by the Winthrop (0-1) defense. A Belmont defender played a ball over the top of the defense to Dan Meacock running on to it. Winthrop goalie Patrick Mitrovich left the 18-yard box as if he was going to clear the ball, but misplayed the bounce and the ball sailed over his head toward the net. Meacock beat the Eagle defenders to the ball and placed the ball into the open net for the golden goal.
“This is one of the most disappointing opening games that I can remember,” said head men’s soccer coach Rich Posipanko. “Our intensity, our work rate, our will to win and our decision making was very poor today. Belmont had a lot to do with this. They were very well organized defensively and deserved the win today. We played well in the pre-season so I am trying to understand how we lacked so many things today, especially being the first game of the season.”
Despite going down a man in the 89th minute after Henry Kalungi was awarded a red card, Winthrop nearly ended the game in regulation. Magnus Leung played a nice give and go pass behind the Bruins defense to Stephen Nsereko. Nsereko then placed a ball on frame that was cleared away by a defender inside the six-yard box with just 20 seconds remaining in regulation.
Belmont (1-0) also had a chance in regulation to end the game with just 8:30 to go as Mete Ozkan found himself on a one-on-one, but Mitrovich made the save to keep the
game tied.
In the first overtime Winthrop had a great opportunity as Michael Luk beat a Belmont player and found himself with a two-on-one. As Luk moved the ball up field the Bruins’ defense recovered so Luk laid the ball off square to Rafael Aruajo at the top of the 18-yard box. Aruajo’s one touch shot said over the top left corner.
Belmont goalie Ron Gravely made seven saves in his shutout performance, which included a point-blank shot by Daniel Revivo off a corner kick and a 25-yard blast by Matt Lacey in which Gravely fully extended for the save in the lower corner. Mitrovich finished the game with four saves.
The Eagles had several chances to score a goal or two in regulation with 17 shots (seven on goal), but were unable to convert on any of them. Belmont finished with four shots and managed just one shot in overtime, but it counted the most.
Winthrop will be back in action on Sunday, Aug. 31 against Lipscomb at noon in the final game of the Soccer For A Cure Classic in Boiling Springs, NC.
