Sports | 4/13/08

Media Credit: Patrick Smith Drexel attackman Adam Dennis (no.3) takes aim before firing a goal during the third quarter of a 10-9 Drexel win. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Patrick Smith Drexel's Brian Neary (no.1) shoves Towson University midfielder Timmy Andre jarring loose the ball during the first quarter at Johnny Unitas Stadium, Saturday, April 12. Drexel (10-3) defeated Towson (4-7), 10-9. [Click to enlarge]

As the final seconds ticked away, senior midfielder Brian Vetter fired a shot that could have been the tying score. But as it sailed wide right, the Tigers fell short in the 10-9 loss to the 10th ranked Drexel Dragons at Johnny Unitas Stadium.

"I think it was a pretty good game against a pretty good team," head coach Tony Seaman said.

The close game was reminiscent of the previous two times the teams met, as both contests were decided by one goal, including last year's come-from-behind last minute win for Towson. Drexel head coach Chris Bates used the memory of the loss to motivate his team before the game and during halftime.

"Before the game, I told them we were down 4-0. At halftime, I told them we were down a goal," Bates said.

Towson dominated the face-offs, winning 16 of 23.

The Tigers scored the first goal of the game, marking the first time they have done so this season. Senior attackman Jonathan Engelke drove to the goal and fired a low shot between the legs of Drexel goaltender Bruce Bickford.

It was the last time the Tigers would see the lead.

They quickly fell behind as the Dragons netted three goals by the end of the first quarter, including two from leading scorer Andrew Chapman.

The second quarter opened with Drexel scoring in the first two minutes on a man-up opportunity as Scott Perri cut across the crease, catching a pass from Greg Casey to score without any pressure from the defense.

Freshman Tim Stratton responded off an assist from junior midfielder Justin Schneider before the Tigers notched another goal before the end of the half; Vetter caught a pass from freshman midfielder Matt Hanzsche, tallying Towson's third goal of the game and his 50th career goal with a hard overhand shot from seven yards out.

The second half featured Towson closing in on Drexel's lead, with Stratton, Adam Hagelin and Engelke on a man-up play that marked his 105th career goal, all putting up points in the third quarter. But Drexel would retaliate, including a goal scored by L.C. Moerschel off a fast break from a face-off.

"He came down the middle of the field and scored a goal right after we cut it down to two," Seaman said. "That was a huge goal we gave away."

In the fourth quarter, the Tigers pull within one when Blake Best passed to an awaiting Engelke on the crease, and he fired it past the goalie, completing his seventh hat trick of the season. It was then that Seaman pulled starting goalie Billy Sadtler for Matt Antol to pressure the Dragons offense with a double team behind the goal. But even with two forced turnovers in the final minutes, the Tigers were not able to tie the game.

The loss further solidifies Drexel's position at the top of the CAA rankings and makes Towson's upcoming game against Villanova a must-win if the Tigers hope to make the tournament.

"We've got to win Friday night, so now there's even more pressure on us," Seaman said.

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