CARLISLE, Pa. --- Senior
Lucas Pleasants scored twice and sophomore
Jack Travis came up with a pivotal second-half score, as the No. 21 Washington and Lee men's soccer team defeated sixth-ranked Dickinson, 3-2, on Sunday to advance to its third national semifinals in the last four seasons.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
With just over 90 seconds having elapsed following the opening whistle, the Red Devils (17-4-3) were called for a handball in the box to give the Generals (15-3-6) a penalty kick. Pleasants stepped up to take the kick and scored down the middle of the goal to put his side up a score.
In the 18th minute, Dickinson's Saul Iwowo found Timi Omoniwa for an equalizer from close range. Twenty minutes later, Pleasants set up a free kick on the left side and sent a looping ball into the goal box. As the ball approached the goal line, a Dickinson defender tried to clear the ball off the line, but the ball was redirected off the crossbar and into the goal as the Generals regained the lead.
The Generals then tacked their third goal of the game on the board in the 62nd minute coming off a corner. Pleasants took the kick and sent an in-swinging ball into the box that got flicked on by senior
PJ Ryan, before it found Travis on the back post for another header and into the back of the net.
The Red Devils were quick to respond, however, as they took the ensuing kick-off down the field and drew a foul inside the box for a penalty of their own just 11 seconds after W&L's goal. Daniel Spataro was tasked with the opportunity for the hosts, and he converted his shot to get Dickinson back within a score.
Dickinson found space for four more shots over the final 28 minutes of play, but only sent one on goal which W&L keeper
Will Joseph stopped in the 77th minute. The Generals did not allow any shot attempt after the 78th minute, while putting more pressure on DC goalie Aiden George with three shots over the final five minutes.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Pleasants' brace marked his first multi-goal effort of the season, and it was his second career game accounting for three goals after he added an assist on Travis's goal. Travis notched his first collegiate goal in the game, and he became the 11th different General this season to record a game-winning goal.
Ryan also got an assist in the game on Travis's score, his third of the season and second-straight game with a helper. Joseph covered all 90 minutes in goal and made two saves.
Omoniwa's and Spataro's goals came on their only shot attempts in the game, while Ethan Jarden and Westin Fryberger led the Red Devils with three shots each. George made two saves across the duration of the game.
NOTEWORTHY POINTS:
After never appearing in an NCAA Division III semifinal game prior to the 2021 season, the Generals are now on their way to their third over the last four years. W&L is also undefeated in NCAA Tournament play dating back to the first round of last year's tournament, going 5-0-4 in that span.
The Generals also remain unbeaten following their 1-3 start to the season. W&L is 14-0-6 in the last 20 games, extending its active program record.
TEAM STATS:
W&L held a final 16-12 advantage in total shots, but both sides took nine attempts in the second half to provide constant stress on the opposition. Both teams took three corner kicks in the game, one each in the first half and two apiece in the second.
UP NEXT:
The Generals will meet Connecticut College in the semifinal round of the NCAA Division III Championship on Thursday, December 5, at Peter Johann Memorial Field at 9:00 p.m. EST/6:00 p.m. PST. It sets up a rematch between the Generals' and Camels' 2021 national semifinal matchup.