Gifford Scores Winner Early in Second Half

Highlights

CARLISLE, Pa. – Junior midfielder Cole Gifford (Delran, N.J./Delran) scored the game-winning goal in the 54th minute give visiting Washington College a 2-1 win over host Dickinson in a Centennial Conference men's soccer match at Phyllis Joan Miller Memorial Field on Saturday afternoon in the regular season finale for WC.  The Shoremen land the second seed and a home semifinal game in the upcoming Centennial Conference Tournament with the win and improve to 11-4-1 overall and 6-2-1 in the conference.  The Red Devils conclude their season at 2-11-2 and 0-8-1 respectively.  The Shorewomen will host #16 Franklin & Marshall, the third seed in the conference tournament, on Friday, November 5 at a time to be determined on Monday.

Washington College 2 Dickinson 1

How It Happened
- The Shoremen got on the board in the 34th minute as James Strine converted a cross from Eric Gwadz to take a 1-0 lead. 
- Dickinson would level the contest at 1-1 with 27 ticks left in the first half as Luke Beiles finished off of a cross from Chaz Smith and that would be the halftime score.
- WC took a 2-1 lead 8:12 into the second half as Gwadz found Gifford and his shot from the top of the box found the back of the net.
- The Red Devils had two more chances to try to tie it, but both shots were off the mark, with the final one coming from Geoffrey Ogenrwot with 13:16 remaining in the second half.

For The Shoremen (11-4-1, 6-2-1 CC)
- Scoring: James Strine (goal), Gifford (goal), Gwadz (two assists)
- Goalkeeper: Anthony Pinto (0 saves, 1 goal allowed, 90:00)
- Washington had 16 shots and five corner kicks in the contest.

For Dickinson (2-11-2, 0-8-1 CC)
- Scoring: Beiles (goal), Smith (assist)
- Goalkeeper: John Baney (5 saves, 2 goals allowed, 90:00)
- Red Devils took five shots and did not register a corner kick in the match.

Quotes From Head Coach Roy Dunshee
"This game was played in tough conditions and it took us some time to adjust to the playing surface.  But once again our senior leadership came through.  Eric Gwadz provided two lovely assists.  James Strine's goal was a thunderous volley and Cole Gifford won it on a real peach."

"Credit Dickinson for a very tough test.  They are better than its record and have some dangerous players.  Our defense was really solid and really limited its chances and Anthony Pinto came up with a massive save to keep us in the game."

Notes
- The 11 wins are the most for Washington College in 21 years as the 2000 squad went 11-7-2.
- Washington achieved its best overall Centennial Conference mark going 6-2-1.  The 2000 and 2016 squads went 5-3-1.
- This afternoon marked the Shoremen's first win at Dickinson since a 2-0 victory in 2006.

Up Next
11/5 v. #16 Franklin & Marshall – 7:00 p.m. (Centennial Conference Tournament Semifinal Game)
- Contest will be at Washington College with the winner traveling to top seed Johns Hopkins for the final on Sunday, November 7.
- Washington, Franklin & Marshall and Swarthmore all finished with a 6-2-1 record in the conference.  The Shoremen gained the two seed by virtue of going 2-0-0 against F&M and Swarthmore.  F&M and Swarthmore tied in its regular season meeting and F&M by beating Johns Hopkins earlier today lands the three seed over Swarthmore, who will be the fourth seed.  Gettysburg, who fell to Muhlenberg this evening, is the fifth seed.  Gettysburg and Swarthmore will play on Tuesday with the winner traveling to Johns Hopkins next Friday.
- Normally Johns Hopkins would host the semifinals and final, but due to Johns Hopkins being the top seed in men's and women's soccer and field hockey as well as having a home football game next Saturday, the conference decided that the two seed in men's and women's soccer and field hockey would host a semifinal game.