Temple University Athletics
BRISTOW'S GAME-WINNER CHRISTENS AMBLER FIELD WITH 3-2 WIN OVER URI
10.1.04 | Men's Soccer
AMBLER, PA - In a rematch of last year's Atlantic 10 Championship game, Temple christened the Ambler Soccer Field in grand fashion by ousting Rhode Island, 3-2, on a game-winning goal by freshman Stephen Bristow in the 94th minute. Bristow, who assisted on TU's two goals earlier in the game, scored off a corner kick from senior Steven Wacker for the golden goal at the 93:42 mark. The contest marked the first time a completely healthy club took the field for head coach David MacWilliams this season, as last year's leading scorer Nate Webb and a veteran defensive backfield were reunited on the Ambler pitch.
Webb wasted no time getting into the mix, scoring off a pass from Bristow in the 23rd minute. The senior had missed the first eight games of the season with a back injury. Neither team could find the back of the net the remainder of the first half, but crisp passes from Bristow and Wacker led to a goal by sophomore Ryan Heins in the 56th minute, giving the Owls (4-5, 1-0 A-10) a 2-0 advantage.
The defending champions bounced back 10 minutes later on a goal by Nicholas Varholak in the 66th minute. With under five minutes to go, the league's leading scorer Sasha Gotsmanov beat Temple keeper Patrick Hannigan (five saves) to tie the score at two at the 85:37 mark.
Temple controlled play in the extra period and less than four minutes in, Bristow took a header from Tony Donatelli off the corner from Wacker and beat Dean Ruddy (three saves) for the game winner. URI (5-4, 0-1) held a 12-10 advantage in shots and both teams attempted five corner kicks.
Friday's match was the grand opening of the Ambler Soccer Field and featured pregame comments from Assistant Athletic Director John Baum and the Dean of Temple's Ambler Campus, Dr. Sophia Wisniewska, prior to a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The Cherry and White return to Ambler on Sunday to take on Massachusetts at 1 p.m.
