Boxscore
LOWER MAKEFIELD, PA - Some say soccer is a funny game, some a cruel game. It would be described as cruel from Philadelphia Biblical University Men's Soccer perspective as they were knocked out of post-season play on penalty-kicks.
In a repeat of last season's East Region Final against Lancaster Bible College, the two teams once again tied after 90 minutes of play, this time 0-0, and neither could break the deadlock after two overtime periods. A penalty shooutout was the only way to separate the two.
Last season PBU prevailed 5-4 on penalty kicks. This year, LBC would win 4-3.
Both sides had their chances before the final whistle, but neither could take advantage. PBU possessed and controlled the first 45 minutes of the game, generating several chances but couldn't find the finishing touch.
"I feel as though we took the initiative in the first half and really controlled things. Our style is to create those quality chances, but there were a couple of times when we passed up good shooting chances, instead taking that extra pass and ended up not getting anything out of it. Regardless, I would say we won the first half." said PBU's Coach Scott Fogarty.
Lancaster Bible came out ready for the second half and looked to counter with the speed of Corey Greiser, but weren't able to create any goals themselves.
"LBC changed things up towards the end of the first half and stuck with it the second half. They gave us some fits by putting 10 men behind the ball and looking to hit Greiser up top, but we changed things for overtime and were able to regain the initiative in my opinion." said Fogarty.
Despite what the stats say, the match was a very even game with each team deservedly winning a half. When asked about the discrepancy in shots, Coach Fogarty responded, "We're two programs with different approaches to the game. LBC is much more direct in their play and thus they generate a lot of shots. Sometimes good ones, sometimes hurried ones. We tend to be a bit slower in our build-up, not looking for the shot right away, but creating quality chances. Neither way is better than the other, it's just an example of how two good teams can take different approaches. In the end, we saw it was a very even match."
Fogarty continued, "I am very proud of our guys and especially our seniors. We didn't play a bad game but we didn't play our best either. We seemed to be stuck in 3rd gear. Dave Simon and Justin Hays have both had great careers and their leadership this year has really helped the younger guys mature and grow as players. They've help set this program up for the next couple of years."
PBU also says goodbye to seniors Wayne Peiffer and Justin Dillon.
