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#16 TOREROS DEFEAT GONZAGA, 1-0 IN OVERTIME ON PENALTY KICK
Nov. 8, 2009
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Senior Forward JT Howlan was the hero of the match as he tallied his second successful penalty kick of the season in the 91st minute to defeat the Gonzaga Bulldogs 1-0 in overtime at Torero Stadium on Sunday afternoon. With the win, San Diego improves to 12-4-1 on the season and 8-1-1 overall tying their best conference mark in 2007 of 8-3-1. USD last reached 12 overall wins in 2003 when they were selected to go to the NCAA post season. San Diego remains in first place with 25 points in the WCC standings. Gonzaga falls to 6-9-3 overall and 3-7-1 in the WCC. Both teams battled to control possession of the first half with a 3-2 shot margin in favor of the Toreros. San Diego came back in the second half fired up recording 10 shots on goal but unable to find the net keeping Gonzaga goalkeeper Scott Barnum busy with six saves. Regulation ended with to score knotted up at 0-0 and USD facing their second consecutive overtime match. In the opening minute of the first overtime period, San Diego kicked off and charged down the field on the attack. Senior defender Ryan Peterman dribbled down the left side and cut into the penalty box at full speed. A Gonzaga defender attempted to steal the ball tripping Peterman in the process as he fell to the ground hard drawing the automatic penalty kick. Howlan lined up the shot and with a stutter step halfway through his run-up, he fired off a right footer into lower right 90 as Barnum went left giving USD the 1-0 overtime win. Goalkeeper Kelin Briones records his ninth shutout of the season tallying one save on the day. Gonzaga keeper Scott Barnum saddles the loss for the Bulldogs with seven total saves and one goal against. USD out-shot the Bulldogs 14-3 and recorded eight corner kicks to Gonzaga's two. The Toreros will take the week to prepare for their final WCC road trip as they wrap up the 2009 regular season campaign in the Bay Area. They face Saint Mary's on Friday, November 13 at 2:00 p.m. followed by Santa Clara on Sunday, November 15 at 12:00 p.m.
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