No. 19 VCU Stuns Men's Soccer In Final Minute Of A-10 Quarterfinal, 1-0

Thursday, November 8

Transamerica Field (Charlotte, N.C.)

5:00 p.m.

Temple University

10-6-3

Virginia Commonwealth University

11-2-5

Temple

VCU

No. 19 VCU Stuns Men's Soccer In Final Minute Of A-10 Quarterfinal, 1-0

11.8.12 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – For the first 89 minutes, No. 5 seeded Temple Men's Soccer displayed a hard-nosed defensive effort, allowing themselves to keep pace with nationally-ranked Virginia Commonwealth, who was playing as the No. 4 seed in Thursday's Atlantic 10 Championship First Round match at Charlotte's Transamerica Field. However, VCU's Nate Shiffman fed a pass to Mario Herrera Meraz, who put the Rams up, 1-0, with just 47 ticks to go, ending the Owls' bid for a conference title and their 2012 campaign.

“VCU is such a good team and our guys really batted hard,” 13-year head coach David MacWilliams said. “I am so proud of every one of our guys. This was an extremely heartbreaking way for us to end the season, but our guys left everything they had on the field—I couldn't have been more proud of their effort.”

In the team's marquee matchup of the season, sophomore goalkeeper Dan Scheck was by no means fazed by the pressure of a postseason game. Of the 10 shots VCU blasted, only four were directed his way. Scheck, who came in with shutouts in each of his four previous games, made stops on the first three tests the Rams sent his way before getting beat by Meraz in the 89th minute, which inevitably ended an unscored upon streak of 509:32, dating back to the Owls' home-opener against Manhattan back on Sept. 11.

The goal allowed by Scheck was only the third one he conceded through nine games this season in between the goal posts.

Though the 10-6 edge in shots was close, VCU had more scoring opportunities and created long periods of possession, helping itself finish with 10-1 advantage in corner kicks. Despite the action that was happening in their own zone, the Owls' defensive unit, who was allowing an average of just 1.01 goals a game, found a way to keep pace. Temple's effort was strong enough to put itself within striking distance of becoming only the second team to hold the Rams scoreless through regulation this season.

Offensively, the Owls were very limited in their opportunities and Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year Jared Martinelli, who needed one goal to become TU's first-ever 10-goal/10-assist scorer in a single season, was taken out of the equation by VCU.

The Rams concentration on the Owls' leading scorer was brutal enough to hold him shotless for the game.

Getting a bulk of the chances was senior A-10 Second Team All-Conference member Cody Calafiore, who tied for a game-high three shots, one of which tested VCU keeper Clark Hankins.

Hankins, who picked up his first decision of the season, made saves on shots by Calafiore and junior Jake Lister in the 61st minute to earn the shutout.

Temple, who lost for only the third time in its previous 14 games, does not advance to the next round of the A-10 Tournament for the fourth straight time.

Closing the book on the 2012 season, the Owls finish with a mark of 10-6-3 and take their bow out of the Atlantic 10 Conference, as they will now begin the preparations for their first season in the BIG EAST next fall.

“We would have liked to have gone out a winner,” MacWilliams said. “We were two points away from second place in the conference, so that shows how talented this group was in a very competitive league this year. This is a special group of kids; we went 10-6 and gave VCU everything we could. All year these guys battled hard and I give a lot of credit and tribute to our senior guys.”

MacWilliams, who came in to Thursday's contest one victory away from career win No. 100 will have to wait until next season to become Temple's fourth head coach to reach the milestone.