Men's Soccer Grabs Late Senior Day Victory Over Northeastern, 1-0

Saturday, October 31

Vidas Field

4:00

Drexel University

3-14-1, 2-6-0

Northeastern

3-11-2, 2-6-0

Northeastern

Drexel

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

Men's Soccer Grabs Late Senior Day Victory Over Northeastern, 1-0

10/31/2015 6:02:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - The Drexel men's soccer team had a chance to play spoiler on Saturday and took advantage as the Dragons netted a late goal to defeat Northeastern, 1-0, and knock the Huskies out of Colonial Athletic Association Tournament contention. Francisco Rodrigues da Palma scored with 45 seconds remaining in regulation, taking a centering pass from Bayley Winkel, to provide the game's only goal.

Jacob Jordan earned his second-career victory, coming up with six saves in his shutout win. Ishan Atit helped out clearing a pair of balls off the line for two defensive saves.

The Dragons were outshot 23-11, but the 11 shots matched Drexel's highest total since Oct. 3 against the College of Charleston. The Dragons were particularly active in the second half, when they put up eight shots. In that second stanza, the Dragons had several strong scoring opportunities before da Palma broke through. In fact, da Palma's goal was his third shot of the afternoon, all in the second half. His first sailed fair over the crossbar and the back netting, but the second was just inches from scoring, a rocket that rose just inches over the crossbar.

With 45 seconds to go, Bayley Winkel - who had just entered the game in the 80th minute - brought the ball upfield, racing down the right side. He turned into the box and deked past a Northeastern defender before passing it off to da Palma cutting down the middle of the field. This time, da Palma got the ball just low enough, as it banged off the bottom of the crossbar and into the back of the net. It broke a 309:25 scoreless drought for the Dragons dating back to their 3-2 loss at Loyola (Md.) on Oct. 20.

Northeastern, which had an opportunity to earn a berth in the CAA Tournament with a win and some help coming into the day, put up consistent pressure throughout the afternoon, particularly in the second half. The Huskies consistently found their way into the scoring box, but could not get off quality shots as Drexel's defense collapsed on them. After Drexel's last-minute goal, Northeastern still managed to a last look after a foul called on the Dragons just outside the box. Once again, the Huskies couldn't get off a strong shot, and their lofting, high-arching shot fell harmlessly on top of the net as the clock wound down.

The game was preceded by the Dragons' annual Senior Day ceremony, in which graduate student Nick Bolton was honored. Bolton started for the ninth time this season and helped keep the pressing Huskies off the board from his spot in the back line.

The Dragons will conclude their season on Tuesday evening as they head to Princeton for a non-conference matchup. That game will kick off at 7:00 p.m.