Gators Finish Allegheny Classic Undefeated
MEADVILLE, Pa. – A trio of Allegheny men's soccer seniors found the back of the net in the second half to lift the Gators to a hard-fought victory over Wilmington, 3-0, on Sunday to lead off the second day of the 2012 Allegheny Classic.
For the Gators (2-0-0), senior forward Chris Brennan tallied his second goal of the season, as senior midfielders Conor Azevedo and David DelGreco found the back of the net for the first time in 2012.
Sophomore midfielder Cameron Olson finished Sunday's match with two assists, earning Co-MVP honors after finishing the tournament with one goal and three assists.
"It makes it easy when we have players making good runs off the ball," Olson said after his two-assist game. "On my first assist to Dave (DelGreco), my team was yelling because Conor was running through (the defense). That opened up some space for Dave, he was wide open and it was an easy ball over the top."
After a physical first half between the two teams, Allegheny developed quality opportunities early in the second frame. In the 48th minute, Olson found DelGreco in front of the net and the senior grounded the shot past the Quaker goalkeeper on the right side. DelGreco looks to replicate the success he had in 2011, finishing the season with six goals and tying for the team lead.
Wilmington (0-2-0) came storming back after the goal by DelGreco, pushing the ball into Allegheny zone. Junior goalkeeper John Lichina earned his first shutout of the season, making five saves. The Quakers had eight corner kick opportunities, but were ushered away from the goal by a fortified defensive line anchored by 2011 All-North Coast Athletic Conference selection Tim Egan.
In the 66th minute, Olson put another great ball to the middle of the field to a wide open Azevedo, who also took advantage of a rushing goalkeeper, sending the ball to the right side of the net for the Gators' second goal of the game.
Brennan put the finishing touches on the win with a wild play off of a corner. Senior forward Tyler Danzey put a good ball towards the goal and a scrum insued, concluding with Brennan's header which deflected off of a defender and in. Brennan is already half way to his 2011 goal total of four.
The Gators' will hit the road Tuesday for the first of four home games against Grove City at 4 p.m. Last season, Allegheny defeated Grove City, 5-2 on Sept. 6 en route to a 5-0 record to open the 2011 campaign.
