BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – After 110 minutes of action that ended in a 2-2 tie, the No. 4 seed Winthrop won a penalty kick shootout over the No. 5 seed Gardner-Webb, 4-3, in the first game of the 2009 Big South Men’s Soccer Championship Friday at Gardner-Webb University’s Greene-Harbison Field in Boiling Springs, N.C. 

The first half went scoreless featuring scoring chances by both squads but neither team could finish those opportunities.

In the second half, the pace picked up in a hurry.  Winthrop was able to get on the board first in the 55th minute when freshman Adam Skonicki sent a ball across the box to his brother Matthew Skonicki, who finished the ball into the wide open net.

Gardner-Webb got an equalizer in the 63rd minute after a hand ball was called in the box on Eagle forward Stephen Nsereko.  Gerald Hefferon, converted the penalty kick as he slipped the ball into the left side of the net.

Winthrop jumped back on top six minutes later to push the score to 2-1 on a goal by Matthew Skonicki.  Teammate Adam Skonicki was credited with the assist as he found Matthew Skonicki on the two-on-one break away.

Gardner-Webb knotted the game at 2-2 as Hefferon flicked a pass to Richie Wall who beat the Winthrop defender and scored with nine minutes remaining in regulation.

Gardner-Webb held an advantage in shots 21-9, including 8-6 edge in shots on goal.  Adam Skonicki and Matthew Skonicki led the Eagles with a goal and an assist for each.  Gardner-Webb was led by Hefferon with a goal and an assist on six shots.  Richie Wall also added a goal for the Bulldogs.

Enrique Miranda (10-5-3) played 110 minutes for Winthrop earning three saves, including two stops in penalty kicks.  Gardner-Webb keeper Andrew Robinson (1-0-1) recorded four saves with one stop in penalty kicks.

Winthrop improves to 10-5-3 on the year, while Gardner-Webb ends its season at 8-6-3.

QUOTES

Winthrop Head Coach Rich Posipanko

“I’m not sure the best team advanced today. You’re always rolling the dice when it’s a penalty kick shootout and we’ve been on both ends of it. We’d like to thank Gardner-Webb for making it a class event with less than 24 hours notice. It’s going to be a real struggle for us tomorrow coming in with five injured players and a couple that likely won’t go.”

Gardner-Webb Head Coach Tony Setzer

“It was another exciting Big South contest and congratulations to Winthrop for advancing. Thanks to the Big South for allowing us to host the tournament.”