Swarthmore 7, Goucher 6
Tri-captain Tim Chryssikos '05 scored the game-winning goal with 1:18 remaining as the Garnet opened the 2005 season with a 7-6 victory over the Goucher Gophers Saturday afternoon at Clothier Field.
Swarthmore called its final time-out with a tick under two minutes showing on the clock and the Garnet maintaining possession in the offensive attack zone. Chryssikos isolated himself behind the cage and made a couple of runs at the right side of the goal. Each time a Goucher defender managed to head off the senior attacker. Chryssikos made one final sprint, leaving his feet to spin back towards the goal. The senior squared his shoulders, firing the ball past Goucher keeper Reeves Craig for his third goal of the day.
The Garnet won the ensuing face-off and attempted to run the clock out. The Goucher defenders intensified their pressure and forced a Swarthmore turnover on the back line. The Gophers successfully cleared the ball into the attack zone and called their final time-out with thirty seconds remaining.
Goucher worked the ball around the perimeter, hoping to find a crack in the Garnet defense. Swarthmore midfielder Jay Charles '07 pressured up on a Gopher reversal pass, forcing the Goucher player to put the ball on the deck. Charles scooped up the ground ball, his fifth of the day, and raced down the field as time expired.
Swarthmore (1-0) jumped all over the Gophers to start the game, taking advantage of an early man-advantage situation, as Gavin Nurick '07 scored the first goal with 11:06 left in the first period. Senior attack Jeff Donlea gave the Garnet a two-goal advantage two minutes later, scoring unassisted at the 9:14 mark.
The Gophers countered, getting a goal from Dan Flemholz off a feed from Brent Shea with 1:23 left in the opening period. Goucher was first on the board in the second quarter, a midfielder Binz Hansen scored an unassisted goal at the 7:58 mark.
Chryssikos, a 2004 All-Centennial selection, answered with an unassisted goal of his own, with 6:59 to go in the half, giving Swarthmore a 3-2 lead.
Goucher tied the score with 4:59 go, as midfielder Dan Duff took a feed from Mike Zirrolli, and put it past Garnet keeper Frank Mazzucco '08. The Garnet re-gained the lead with 1:36 left in the half as freshman Chris Harman scored his first career goal of a pass from Chryssikos.
Swarthmore was able to take a two-goal lead into the intermission with some timely execution. The Garnet had possession with thirty seconds left in the half, and head coach Pat Gress decided to use their final time-out of the half to set up a play.
Chryssikos, in possession of the ball, sprinted from behind the goal and leapt into the air, much like his game-winner. Only this time he lofted a pass to cutting midfielder Ryan McKenna '07. The sophomore one-timed the ball into the back of the net with 0:02 on the clock for the 5-3 Swarthmore lead.
Chryssikos gave the Garnet a 6-3 lead, scoring his second goal of the afternoon just forty-three seconds into the third period. The Gophers cut the lead to a single goal, getting scores from James Clement (8:04) and Hansen (2:51), off assists from Flamholz.
Flamholz continued Goucher's comeback, tying the contest at 6-6 with his second goal of the afternoon. The Gophers took advantage of an extra man situation as Ross Nuchuwoitz set-up Flamholz in front of the net with 9:44 remaining in the game.
Mazzucco earned his first career win in net, making 20 saves in the process. Gophers keeper Craig made 18 saves in the losing effort.
Flamholz led the Gophers (2-2) with two goals and two assists, while Hansen added two goals of his own.
The Garnet were lead by the hat trick from Chryssikos, who added a pair of assists. In their next contest, Swarthmore will host Skidmore College on Saturday, March 12th at 1:00 p.m.
Goucher (2-2) 1 2 2 1 6
Swarthmore (1-0) 2 3 1 1 7
Goals:GC (6) Dan Flamholz 2, Binz Hansen 2, James Clement, Dave Duff
SC: (7) Tim Chryssikos 3, Jeff Donlea, Chris Harman, Ryan McKenna, Gavin Nurick
Assists: GC (5) Flamholz 2, Ross Nochumowitz, Mike Zirrolli, Brent Shea
SC (2) Chryssikos 2
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Goaltenders:
GC - Reeves Craig 60 min., 18 saves, 7 GA
SC- Frank Mazzucco 60 min, 20 saves, 6 GA
Shots: GC 30, SC 33.
Penalties: GC 4 for 3:30; SC 5 for 4:30
Man Advantage: GC 1 of 5, SC 1 of 4
Attendance: 146