Washington Secures Conference's Automatic Bid to the NCAA Tournament and Second Trip to the Tournament

BALTIMORE, Md. – Senior midfielder Eric Gwadz (Washington, D.C./Woodrow Wilson) factored in both goals with a goal and an assist, and earned Centennial Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player honors in Washington College's 2-0 win over Gettysburg in the Centennial Conference Tournament Final on Sunday afternoon at Homewood Field on the campus of Johns Hopkins as the Shoremen win their first-ever Centennial Championship and garner the conference's automatic bid in the NCAA Tournament.  The second-seeded Shoremen improve to 13-4-1 on the year, with the 13 wins being the most by the team in a single-season, while the fifth-seeded Bullets are now 13-5-2 on the season.  Washington College, who won its first outright conference title since winning the Mason-Dixon Conference Championship in 1964, will find out its opponent tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 p.m. during the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Selection Show.  This will be the Shoremen's second NCAA Tournament appearance as they last appeared in 1973.

Washington College 2 Gettysburg 0

How It Happened
- The Shoremen struck at the 6:06 mark as the cross by Gwadz from the left side eluded the Gettysburg defense and found James Strine, who struck a shot from the right side into the upper right 90 from about 12 yards out.
- Gwadz nearly made it 2-0 in the 27th minute, but his shot went just wide to the right. 
- With 6:41 left in the first half, Ben Strine had a header from the center of the box off of a free kick taken by his brother James Strine, but Kevin Muhic made a diving save to keep it a one-goal game.
- James Strine had the last chance in the first half in the final minute, but his shot was blocked by a Bullet defender and went wide right and Washington was unable to muster a shot off the corner and the contest went to halftime at 1-0.
- Gettysburg's Aidan Muller nearly tied the game in the 55th minute as his header got over the head of WC goalie Anthony Pinto, but defender Joe Mutscheller was able to clear it before it crossed the line.
- Gwadz would give Washington the insurance goal to make it 2-0 in the 74th minute as he went through the Gettysburg defense and beat Muhic in a one-on-one.
- The Shoremen kept the Bullets from taking another shot in the final 16:02 to preserve the victory, shutout and championship.

For The Shoremen (13-4-1)
- Scoring: Gwadz (goal and assist), Strine (GW goal)
- Goalkeeper: Anthony Pinto (0 saves, 0 goals allowed, 90:00)
- Shoremen had a team save by Mutscheller.
- Washington had 12 shots and 11 corner kicks in the match.

For Gettysburg (13-5-2)
- Scoring: None
- Goalkeeper: Muhic (3 saves, 2 goals allowed, 90:00)
- The Bullets took eight shots and registered two corner kicks.

Notes
- Prior to this season, the most wins in a season by the Shoremen was 12 which happened in 1995.
- In addition to the 1964 Mason-Dixon Conference Championship, the Shoremen also won the Mason-Dixon crown in 1947 and 1961.
- Washington shared the Middle Atlantic Conference crown in 1969 and won it outright in 1954.  The 1969 title was the last conference championship of any kind by Shoremen Soccer until today.
- With today's win, WC has won five outright conference titles and one shared crown.   
- Gwadz has netted a goal or assist in five consecutive games with 15 points on six goals and three assists.  Prior to his five-game point streak, he had one goal for two points.
- The last team Centennial Conference Championship by a Washington College squad was men's lacrosse in 2014.

Quotes

Coach Dunshee on the support the team has received en route to a Centennial Conference Championship.
"This team is special but there's a bigger team. It's the athletic department, it's the college and it's our alums. They all have supported us so graciously and so heartily and we felt that. We had a huge crowd on Friday and again today at a neutral site. We couldn't be happier with the support that we've gotten from the student body, our alums, the parents, and the entire athletic department. It's been fantastic."

Coach Dunshee on scoring a quick goal.
"It allowed us to settle into the game and it took a lot of the anxiety away. In a championship match there's always going to be some nerves. Getting that early goal settled the team so that we could really focus on defending and keeping everything solid and tight."

Coach Dunshee on the play of his defense.
"We have been riding the talent of our forwards all year long and no one is talking about our defense. We were so solid and resolute today. The last couple of games we've come up against some fantastic offensive teams. While our forwards have been getting a lot of great accolades and deserved, I think it's time to talk about how well our defense has played."

Captain Del Jenkins on winning the title.
"This day has been in the making for a long time. Every person that's been a part of the program helped make this happen. We've been talking about this as a team for the last two or three years. James (Strine), Greg (Adams) and I decided to come back as fifth-year seniors for this outcome. We've worked our butts off every single day to get here and it's a about dang time we brought something home. And that's the truth."

Eric Gwadz on winning the Centennial Conference
"It's pretty incredible. It's just crazy to see the effort, care and heart that the entire team has. I'm very grateful for my teammates and every one that has supported us. I think it's awesome that Washington College has won a Centennial Conference Tournament."

Eric Gwadz on his game-winning assist on James Strine's goal
Getting the ball to a winger who could attack has been the key point of emphasis all year. One of my personal goals is to attack everyone with a purpose. I knew I could get past my defender and my boy James Strine was in the right place and he finished it. That was a huge confidence booster going up 1-0 early in the game."

Eric Gwadz on being named MVP
"It's a great individual achievement for me. For some reason, out of the blue, I've been on this streak (7 goals over last 7 games). Obviously, I'm grateful for my teammates for helping me be able to do that."