SELINSGROVE, PA - In a game that will not be soon forgotten by those who witnessed it, Susquehanna men's soccer found themselves three goals down against King's-PA just 24 seconds into the second half, but an inspired second half performance led to an incredible turnaround and a 4-3 win for the River Hawks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Monarchs struck first in the 14th minute with the first big chance of the game, as Mark Atherton's low cross met Costantino Villano making a run to the back post to give King's the first blow.
- Just five minutes later, King's won a free-kick in a dangerous position, and the dead-ball effort was put in for a quick second as the visitors doubled their advantage.
- The River Hawks applied pressure after going 2-0 down, but Khalil McDonald's blast on the volley was tipped over by King's goalkeeper Ben Van Valkenburg. A minute later, Liam Raney had the ball in the net after a header across goal by Hayes Webster, but it would not count, with the flag being raised for offside to deny Raney a second goal in as many games.
- Hayden Swinehart had a chance saved after his free-kick was blocked, as after it was put back into the penalty area following a clearance, he was denied by Van Valkenburg in the 43rd minute.
- It took just 24 seconds after the restart for the ball to find the net, as a cross from the right flank by the Monarchs got the touch it needed in the penalty area to beat Susquehanna goalkeeper Finn Kramer.
- Not even a minute later did the River Hawks pull their first goal back, as Aidan Diglio picked out John Kuderka with a pass over the King's defense, and Kuderka's cross found Angelo Zografos crashing into the penalty area, and Zografos dispatched the opportunity.
- Another minute later, Diglio delivered into the box from a long throw, and the ball was allowed to find its way to Alex Clark, who converted from close range to make it 3-2 as momentum began to shift in favor of the River Hawks.
- Owen Kaar's free-kick was blocked in the 49th minute, and the resulting counter-attack by the Monarchs saw a shot saved by Kramer.
- McDonald's shot saved in the 64th minute led to a corner, and when Swinehart's delivery was headed away, it was turned back in via a first-time effort from Zografos to knot the game at three.
- King's had a chance to retake the lead as the game entered its final ten minutes, with Kramer coming up with an important stop to deny Jackson Nuttall.
- The River Hawks kept pressing for a winner, as in the 84th minute, shots for Kuderka and Zografos were blocked.
- Another Diglio long throw with five minutes to go was delivered towards Webster, and when a King's defender headed the ball away from goal, it was met on a bounce by McDonald, who fired the game-winning goal in on the volley to complete an unforgettable comeback.
- The River Hawks held the Monarchs at bay in the final five minutes to hang on for their third consecutive win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Susquehanna took 13 shots to the visitors' seven, including ten in the second half. McDonald led the way with five, three of which were on target, including the late winner. Zografos also managed three, with both of his that were on target resulting in goals. Swinehart was the other River Hawk to take multiple shots with two.
- McDonald and Clark registered their second goals of the season, while Zografos scored his first two for his first brace as a River Hawk. Kuderka's assist was his second of the season.
- The River Hawks made a single change to their starting lineup, as Kramer came in to start in goal, and the first-year stopper made a pair of saves.
UP NEXT FOR SU
- Landmark play begins on Saturday, September 27th, as Susquehanna take on RV Scranton on home soil. They follow that with a four-game road trip, starting with their final non-conference clash of the season at Stevenson followed by meetings with Elizabethtown, Wilkes, and Drew.
