PDL Feature
Friday, November 16, 2012
Reading United’s Pedro Ribeiro had a pair of goals to lead Coastal Carolina to victory in the opening round of the NCAA Men’s Tournament on Thursday night, one of a number of current and former PDL standouts to lead their sides into the second round on Sunday.
Ribeiro, who had three goals and four assists for United as they reached the PDL Playoffs this summer, opened the scoring three minutes before the halftime break, driving home a finish from the top of the penalty area. He then doubled his side’s lead just before the hour mark, this time firing a dipping shot from 25 yards into the back of the net.
The performance was Ribeiro’s first multi-goal game of the fall, and sends his side on to face Wake Forest in the next round. The No. 15 seed Demon Deacons will offer a strong challenge for Ribeiro and his teammates, with Austin Aztex goalkeeper Michael Lisch currently holding a 0.68 goals-against average, and Sounders FC U23 forward leading Wake with 11 goals and 25 points.
Virginia booked its place in the second round thanks to another Reading United alum, with Will Bates scoring an 88th-minute winner to give the Cavaliers a 1-0 victory against Lafayette. Bates headed home powerfully for his 46th goal all-time for UVA, sending them into second-round contest with New Mexico. Austin Aztex midfielder Blake Smith will be a key for the Lobos, having led the side with 13 assists this summer.
Baltimore Bohemians goalkeeper Phillip Saunders was the hero in a penalty shootout for UMBC as he made two saves to allow the Terriers to advance 4-2 on penalties against Old Dominion after the two teams had played to a 0-0 draw.
Saunders, who made nine appearances for the Bohemians this past summer, recorded three saves in regulation and overtime, and then denied ODU’s Victor Francoz and Jordan LeBlanc. IMG Bradenton Academics standout Milo Kapor converted one of UMBC’s spot kicks, and Saunders’ fellow Bohemian David Vaeth added the game-winner in the final round.
The Terriers will now face No. 9-seed North Carolina in the second round, with Carolina Dynamo alumni Scott Goodwin, Boyd Okwuonu and Robbie Lovejoy set to lead the Tar Heels in their defense of their national championship.
Reading’s Dante Marini scored the decisive goal in one of the upsets on the night, giving Northeastern a 1-0 victory on the road against Boston College. Marini’s goal, which came in the 14th minute, gave the Huskies their first victory against the Eagles in their program’s history, and sends them on to a contest against Connecticut on Sunday.
The Worcester Hydra’s Thomas McNamara scored one of the goals as Brown took a 2-0 victory against Drexel in its first-round contest. McNamara, an All-Ivy First Team selection, headed home a corner in the 17th minute for what proved to be the game-winning goal, sending the Bears to face No. 6-seed Maryland and New Orleans Jesters standout Patrick Mullins in the second round.
Portland Timbers U-23s goalkeeper Jeff Richey recorded a shutout as Washington took a 1-0 victory against Air Force through a goal by North Sound SeaWolves defender Michael Harris. In their first appearance in the tournament since 2007, Harris’ header from a corner sent the Huskies into a second-round contest with No. 12-seed Creighton, and Richey’s Timbers U-23s teammate Eric Miller.
Elsewhere, former Indiana Invaders midfielder Nick Wilson scored the game-winning goal as Michigan State took a 2-1 victory against Cleveland State, while the New Jersey Rangers’ Antony Moore scored the only goal as Fairleigh Dickinson upset St. John’s 1-0.
Finally, Reading United’s Lucas Baldin and VSI Tampa’s Ashani Fairclough each scored from the spot as South Florida defeated Florida Gulf Coast 5-3 in a penalty shootout after the two teams had played to a 0-0 draw through regulation and overtime.