Box Score For immediate release – 11/8/2015 - #109
WildCats Come up Short in ODAC Championship
LEXINGTON, VA – Troy Jurney scored two late goals, but it was not enough as the Randolph College men's soccer team lost to Washington & Lee University 5-2 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Championship game. The top-seeded Generals hosted the contest on Sunday, and earned the conference's automatic NCAA tournament berth with the win.
After playing demanding games the day before, the two teams spent the early parts of the first half feeling each other out. Nick Rodriguez had the first shot of the game 10 minutes in, but it was saved. W&L found the next few chances, as several attempts were blocked before Matt Tourbin made his first save of the game.
The scoreless tie would only last until the 21st, as a General was fouled in the box. Ben Bayles scored on the ensuing penalty for the 1-0 Washington & Lee lead. The WildCats had the next few chances as Saturday's hero Blake Heatherly sent shots towards goal, but none could find the back of the net. Unfortunately, the next goal would be by the Generals, as David Cohen sent his goal line free kick into the back of the net for the 2-0 lead.
Randolph fought back in the latter stages of the half, but all three Grant Collier attempts and the one by Austin Davidson were either blocked or saved, as W&L entered the half with a 2-0 advantage.
Coming out of the half, Tourbin stopped two more shots to keep the deficit at two. However, Bayles and Dylan Ritch each scored to give W&L a four-goal lead. But it would not keep the WildCats down as the team fought back from the deficit.
Heatherly once again earned several chances, and Salvador Ramirez had his shot blocked, but it would not be for long until the team broke through. After earning several corner kicks, Heatherly's service at 77:53 found the head of Jurney who cut the deficit to three.
Less than two minutes later, Heatherly once again sent a corner kick into the box. The ball bounced around in the box, until Jurney completed his brace, sending the ball into the back of the net. The 'Cats continued to push, looking to cut the disadvantage further, but the Generals added a late tally to secure the win.
The final whistle signified the end of the careers for the three seniors on the WildCats roster. CJ Stevens, Julian Khalili, and Collier all helped the team greatly this weekend, and for their entire careers. The All-Tournament team was also announced after the contest. Heatherly, center-back Julian Williams-Milne, and outside back Austin Black were all honored for their efforts over the past week. The two defenders helped the 'Cats allow one goal in the previous two games.
Randolph finishes its season with a 13-5-3 overall record.
ODAC All-Tournament Team Members:
7 – Patrick Barry – Washington & Lee
10 – Ben Bayles – Washington & Lee
1 – Gillen Beck – Washington & Lee
8 – Austin Black – Randolph
3 – Tyler Carbaugh – Roanoke
4 – Andrew Freeman – Virginia Wesleyan
13 – Nathan Gibson – Washington & Lee
2 – Blake Heatherly – Randolph
10 – Fortune Sibanda – Roanoke
8 – Travis Walke – Virginia Wesleyan
4 – Julian Williams-Milne – Randolph
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