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 Sophomore Erick Perez-Segnini's goal with three seconds left in the second overtime pushed GW to a 3-2 victory over Howard on Sunday. |
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Perez-Segnini's Late Heroics Gives Men's Soccer DC College Cup Title
Sept. 2, 2007
FAIRFAX, VA - Sophomore Erick Perez-Segnini's 20-yard strike with three seconds remaining in the second overtime lifted the George Washington men's soccer team to a 3-2 victory over Howard at the adidas DC College Cup, hosted by George Mason University, on Sunday afternoon. GW captured its first DC College Cup title by virtue of American's 2-1 victory over George Mason late Sunday.
The DC College Cup championship is the GW program's first in the seven-year history of the event.
Perez-Segnini finished with a goal and an assist for a career-high three points to earn Most Valuable Player honors. The Montgomery Village, MD, native also scored an insurance goal with nine seconds remaining in Friday's 2-0 victory against American. Joining Perez-Segnini on the All-Tournament Team were sophomores Andy Stadler and Luke Wildy and senior Abimbola Pedro.
On the game-winning goal, Perez-Segnini collected the ball near midfield in the closing seconds of the second overtime period, cut back against two defenders near the top of the 18-yard box and fired a low, bouncing shot past a diving goalkeeper into the right corner. The victory marks the first time since the 2002 season and 14th time in program history the Colonials have won their first two matches to begin a season. It was also GW's fourth consecutive win against Howard and cuts the all-time series to 13-18-4.
The Colonials took their first lead in the second minute when senior Abimbola Pedro headed in a cross from classmate Joachim Walker. Walker's cross from the right wing found Pedro on the far left post and Pedro finished the play for his first goal since scoring twice against La Salle in November 2005.
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The Bison pulled even seven minutes later when Guilherme Fonseca beat GW goalkeeper Greg Yahr with a hard shot from the top of the 18-yard box. GW regained the lead in the 23rd minute on sophomore Luke Wildy's first goal of the season. Perez-Segnini beat a pair of defenders on the left side of the box and sent a cross in front. The pass glanced off a Howard defender and into the middle of the box, where Wildy raced in a slammed a one-timed shot through a crowd and into the left corner.
Howard's Lamar Hyde tallied a second equalizer in the 33rd minute and the two teams' traded scoring chances the rest of the match.
GW had a pair of opportunities for the game-winner late in regulation. With just over 22 minutes left, Perez-Segnini fired a shot from 30-yards out that just missed the upper left corner. Pedro also narrowly missed the upper right corner on a tough-angled shot from 10-yards away.
The Colonials led in both shots (20-12) and corner kicks (11-5). Senior goalkeeper Greg Yahr made four saves to pick-up his seventh career victory. Howard's Chris Taylor made three stops.
Senior co-captain Matt Davis left the match mid-way through the first half and didn't return.
GW returns to action next weekend at Longwood University's Lancer Invitational in Farmville, VA. The Colonials will face Big South power Winthrop on Friday at 5:00 pm and Division I newcomer North Florida on Sunday at 10:00 am.
adidas DC College Cup results
1. George Washington (2-0)
2. American (1-1)
3. George Mason (1-1)
4. Howard (0-2)
adidas DC College Cup All-Tournament Team
Erick Perez-Segnini - GW - Most Valuable Player
Andy Stadler - GW
Luke Wildy - GW
Abimbola Pedro - GW
Chris Sedlak - American
Cooper Bryant - American
Jamie Davin - American
Fro Adu - George Mason
Richard Edgar - George Mason
