Virginia Wesleyan wins shootout against Salisbury in NCAA second round
SALISBURY, Md. - The Salisbury University men's soccer team saw its season come to an end as it was knocked out of the 2007 NCAA Division III tournament second round via a shootout with Virginia Wesleyan College on Sunday afternoon in front of a crowd of 396 fans at the SU Soccer Complex. The two teams played to a scoreless tie through two overtime periods, 110 minutes, as the game went to penalty kicks.

Salisbury (16-4-2) started the shootout in great position as sophomore goalkeeper Greg Wellinghoff (13-2-1) stoned Virginia Wesleyan’s Robbie Mann with a diving save. Sophomore Kyle Sterling then put the Gulls in control as he beat VWC goalie Zane Krezonis (7-1-1) to give SU the 1-0 advantage. The Marlins (17-3-1) followed by making their next two attempts by Bandon Massie and James Monasrta. Junior Romaine Bruney took the second kick for Salisbury but his shot was saved by Krezonis. Sophomore Alex Hargrove converted for Salisbury on the third try to tie the shootout at 2-2. Kyle Williams scored the fourth attempt for the Marlins with a shot to the lower left corner to take a 3-2 lead. SU senior Andrew Henciak lined up for the fourth attempt for the Sea Gulls but blasted a shot off the right goal post. VWC’s Jason Malkiewicz won the shootout with a shot to the right corner to give the Marlins the 4-2 penalty kick victory as their bench erupted in celebration.

VWC's Adam Smith was red carded near the final minute of regulation which forced the Marlins to have to play a man down for the rest of the regulation and both overtime periods. Salisbury's final chance to score came in the second overtime in the 106th minute when senior Dave Kroening wound up with the ball at his foot in the box and nailed a shot that beat Krezonis but VWC defender Travis Cober booted the ball away as he recorded the team save and kept the 0-0 tie intact.

The Sea Gulls struggled on offense all game as they only managed to place two shots on goal out of the 23 shots they took. Another one of SU's scoring opportunities came with 18 minutes left in regulation when the Sea Gulls attacked the goal with a flurry of shots culminated by Hargrove drilling the post with the potential game-winner.

The SU defense recorded its 16th shutout of the season as Wellinghoff went the distance and recorded five saves. The Gulls only surrendered 10 total shots all game and attempted nine more corners than the Marlins, 11-2. The two teams combined for 36 fouls and five total bookings.

Virginia Wesleyan advances to the NCAA sectionals where it will face Redlands at a site and time to be determined.