Plattsburgh Advances Past Bowdoin on Penalty Kicks
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - After 110 minutes of scoreless play, the
Plattsburgh State University men's soccer team eliminated Bowdoin
from the NCAA Tournament in penalty kicks, 6-5, on Thursday
evening. It is the second-consecutive time that the Polar Bears
have been eliminated from the NCAA Tourney on penalty kicks.
Bowdoin finishes their season with a mark of 11-4-2.
Freshman Mike Payne scored on Plattsburgh's final attempt in the
shootout, kicking the ball down the center to outguess goalkeeper
Dan Hicks, who went to his left. That scene was set up by
Plattsburgh goalie Andy Heighington who had a kick-save on Daniel
Chaffetz on the previous attempt. Bowdoin had a one-goal lead in
the shootout until the fifth round when Plattsburgh got back in it
as Heighington stopped Eddie Jones, who had a chance to put the
Polar Bears in the next round. John Martin roofed his attempt to
make it 5-5, the teams traded good attempts and then Plattsburgh
won it in the seventh round.
Plattsburgh outshot Bowdoin 12-7, including 9-4 in the second half, but neither defense caved in. The Polar Bears had a slight edge in corner kicks, 5-3. The best scoring chance for either side came in the 57th minute when Call Nichols' header was punched over the crossbar by Heighington, who finished with six saves. Dan Hicks had three saves for Bowdoin and tied the school record with his eighth shutout of the season.
The Cardinals, who are now 2-3 all-time in NCAA tournament penalty kick shootouts, win their first such event since 1992. The Polar Bears are now 0-2-2 in NCAA play with their last two contests both being penalty kick setbacks. Bowdoin was eliminated by Wheaton in their last showing in 2003 in identical fashion in penalty kicks.
