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Metcalf grabs two as
Crusaders earn playoff spot
Friday July 15, 2005 (Hyannis,
MA) – The Cape Cod Crusaders completed their perfect home record and clinched a
playoff berth Friday night with a 4-2 victory over the Ocean City Barons at
Barnstable High School. Andy Metcalf continued his goalscoring streak (8 goals
in his last 3 matches), scoring his 13th and 14th goals of
the season, while a Chris Joyce effort and an own goal rounded out the Crusaders
scoring. Tony Donatelli scored both Ocean City goals.
The victory moved the Crusaders
(11-2-1, 34 points) six points clear at the top of the table in the PDL’s
Northeast Division, just ahead of Ocean City (9-3-1, 28 points). The match was
not only significant in its direct effect on the standings, but it also brought
to a close an extremely impressive Crusaders’ home campaign. The 2002 and 2003
PDL National Champions went a perfect 8-0-0 at home on the Cape this season,
outscoring opponents 28-6.
The scoring began in the 29th
minute when P.J. Scheufele sent a long throw-in all the way into the six yard
box. Andy Metcalf rose unopposed to nod the ball into the roof of the net and
put the Crusaders up 1-0. The on-fire, University of Memphis striker was at it
again on the stroke of halftime, and Dartmouth product Scheufele was once again
involved. Chris Joyce received a pass from Scheufele with his back to the goal
and smartly laid it off for Metcalf, who proceeded to drag a defender across the
face of the goal before lashing a shot back across his body to give the
outstretched goalkeeper no chance.
The Crusaders took the momentum
of that goal into the halftime interval, and used it to come out roaring again
in the second half. By the 52nd minute, the Crusaders had made it
3-0. Metcalf was terrorizing the Barons defense once more, and appeared to be
taken down just outside the box. However, the referee allowed play to proceed
as the Crusaders had retained possession. They used that advantage to its
fullest extent, as Dayton O’Brien’s hard cross from a tight angle was redirected
into the net by a sliding Ocean City defender.
Franklin Pierce College star
Chris Joyce made it 4-0 just two minutes later, with Metcalf returning the favor
for the Englishman’s earlier assist. Metcalf held off a defender along the end
line long enough to slide the ball inside to Joyce, who slotted the ball into
the back of the net. The Barons did their best to fight back, and two goals from
Tony Donatelli put them back in with a shout. However, the Crusaders defense of
Prendergast, Smith, McCallion, Farrier and goalkeeper Karim held firm, holding
on for the 4-2 victory.
With a perfect home record
complete and a playoff berth clinched, the Crusaders bosses were rightfully
pleased. “We’re very satisfied with the game tonight. It was a great team
performance, and it’s really done the job, but at the end of the day, it’s just
another three points. We’re looking forward to keeping our momentum going as we
head up to Vermont and Ottawa next week,” said assistant coach Fraser Davidson. |
