No. 14 Washington University edges Whitewater
Cover Photo: Wash U. senior Patrick McLean in a battle with Whitewater keeper junior Matt Mikesell. Photo by Sid Hastings, WUSTL Photo Services.
By Justin Phelps
ST. LOUIS – After creating considerably more offensive chances than Wisconsin-Whitewater, Washington U. coach Joe Clarke had a simple plea with which many soccer coaches can sympathize.
“Life would be better if we finished those chances,” Clarke said.
The Bears created 10 of their 12 corner kicks in the first half, but didn’t convert until the second half and survived a late offensive push by Whitewater in a fast-paced 2-1 victory in the first round of the NCAA tournament on a calm but chilly Thursday night at Francis Field.
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| Wash U. Senior Peter Jebson had the gamewinner Thursday evening against Whitewater Photos by Sid Hastings, WUSTL Photo Services |
“We got really unlucky last year,” Washington junior Zach Query said of a slow start and loss in PKs to Loras in the second round of last season’s tournament. “We started really slow last year against Loras, so we wanted to push them hard from the beginning.”
Fourteenth-ranked Washington (15-3-1) advances to play sixth-ranked Ohio Wesleyan on Sunday in Delaware, Ohio. Wesleyan earned a first-round bye.
“Last year we had a bye and it kind of threw us off,” said sophomore reserve Jeremy Kirkwood, who scored the first goal. “Here we got to get the feel of it, got a tough game, a good win, so now we have some momentum while they sat. Hopefully we can build on our momentum.”
Washington, making its 20th overall NCAA tournament appearance, definitely quick, but the chances didn’t convert until the 48th minute.
In a give-and-go-like play, Kirkwood disposed a Whitewater defender, knocking the ball the senior Patrick McLean, who sent it back to Kirkwood.
He created space by moving to his right and trickled a shot to the left post at 47:33 for his sixth goal of the season.
“We talked at halftime about taking less chances in the back, and the guys took a chance,” said Whitewater assistant coach Ryan Quamme, filling in for coach Greg Henchel while he was with the women’s team. “But Washington pressured us well all night, and I thought they were unlucky to not be rewarded for it (in the first half) with some of the corners they earned.”
Whitewater (12-8-0), a Pool B invite making its 11th NCAA tournament appearance, had a comeback bid in mind as the match neared the hour mark.
Whitewater senior Kevin Kron had a golden opportunity in the 55th minute from the 6-yard line, but Washington sophomore goalkeeper Jonathon Jebson collected the point-blank shot with two hands.
Shortly after the Warhawks volleyball ball team (in town for the D3 volleyball tournament at Washington U.) arrived to Francis Field, the soccer team equalized in the 61st minute. Working with the ball on the endline in the penalty area, Kevin Kron served it back to the top of the penalty area where junior Logan Fye one-timed it past Jonathon Jebson for his ninth goal of the year.
Washington’s winner came in the 69th minute. With a tough angle on the right side, Zach Query collected a redirected header and managed to cross the ball to Peter Jebson, who scored his second goal of the season at 68:54.
The goal was only the seventh allow this season by Whitewater junior goalkeeper Matt Mikesell.
Whitewater, which lost its first four matches of the season before winning 12 of its next 15, used five attackers in the last five minutes in an equalizer attempt.
“It was a great game,” Quamme said. “Entertaining, and I think the last 30 minutes was fun for both sides. Well played.”
A scoreless first half saw Washington control much of play. Playing longball with Query and McLean, the Bears collected 10 corner kicks in the first half and outshot Whitewater 7-2.
However, both of Whitewater’s shots were on goal, compared to one by Washington.
Washington’s best chance in the first half with less than 10 minutes left. Senior reserve Dylan Roman chased down a ball to find a one-v-one opportunity with Mikesell, but sophomore defender Bob Shone raced back to disposes Roman as he prepared to shoot.
