Mechanics Pull Out a Dramatic Win

To say Williamson was an underdog against Bucks County Community College on Thursday night might have been a bit of an understatement.  Williamson was just 1-7 in eight previous contests against the Centurions, and was down two starters for the game.  Their last game against Bucks last year did not end well, as they were blanked 4-0.  Yet, the team somehow defied the odds and came up with a herculean and used a late goal and a tremendous defensive stand to defeat Bucks by a score of 2-1.

The teams were evenly matched throughout the first half however, it was Bucks who put the most offensive pressure on, as they outshot Williamson 12-3 in the half.  Despite that shot advantage, Williamson's defense kept them off the board and the game remained scoreless at the half.

 Bucks then got on the board first off a nice shot from Levi Morris (unassisted) to put them up 1-0.  That lead however, was short-lived, as Williamson's Jonathan Illing scored on an amazing free kick from 38 yards away just 1:09 later to knot things up at 1-1.

The teams continued to apply pressure on each other, and while Williamson was outshot in the second half as well, they had a couple of close-range chances, but Buck's defense was up to the task of keeping them off the board.

Just when it looked like things might end up in a tie, Williamson's Jonathan Illing was tripped in the box as he made a run for the Bucks' goal, and Williamson was awarded a penalty kick with 4:09 left.  Marco Karasavas calmly took the kick and nailed it into the back of the net to put Williamson up 2-1.

Everyone knew at the point that Bucks was going to come at Williamson's defense full steam ahead for the final minutes-and they did just that.  Try as they may however, Williamson's defense, which was awesome all night, stepped up yet again to deny the Centurions and run out the clock.

Freshman goalie Aaron O'Keeffe had another big game in net for Williamson, as time after time he made dramatic goal saving stops.  He wound up with nine saves on the night.  Bucks would have had even more shots if it were not for the incredible play as well by the Williamson back line.  Dan Maroney, Dylan Burke Rob Wagner, Ricky Lusch, James Bryan, Colin Catrambone and Dan Beaver all had outstanding games to help limit Bucks to just one goal. 

"This is a big win for us," shared Williamson head coach Peter Glowa.  "We needed to bounce back after a touch loss to Central Penn.  The effort by our guys tonight was incredible.  I'm super proud of every single player tonight.  It truly was a team win."

The win moves Williamson to 4-2-1 on the year.  Their only other win against Bucks game last season, when they won a 5-2 game at home, only to lose 4-0 at Bucks later in the year.  Two of the main reasons Williamson was able to win last year was the play of senior All-Americans Brandon Cary and Zach Bosak, both of whom were in attendance tonight to see the win. 

The Mechanics get a well-deserved rest for a bit, as they are off until next Thursday when they travel to ESAC opponent Manor College in a 3:30 P.M. start.