Late Penalty Kick Helps Thomas More Upend W&J 2-1
WASHINGTON, Pa. – Ricky Barria scored both Thomas More goals, including a penalty kick tally with 14 minutes left, to give the 24th-ranked Saints a 2-1 victory over Washington & Jefferson in PAC men’s soccer action Wednesday evening at Alexandre Stadium.
Despite the loss, the Presidents (6-10, 3-4 PAC) still remain alive for the fourth and final spot in next week’s PAC Tournament. W&J can earn the fourth seed with a victory at Bethany Saturday afternoon (3:00 pm).
Barria put the Saints (13-1-1, 7-0 PAC) in front 1-0 in the 28th minute with an unassisted goal. The score remained that way until the 54th minute when W&J tied the game on an own goal by the Saints.
Barria then provided the game winner at the 76-minute mark by beating freshman goalie Ryan Ihrig (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson) on the penalty kick.
Thomas More outshot the Presidents by a 21-4 margin, but the Presidents were kept in the match by the goaltending duo of Ihrig and senior Pete Tomlinson (Seymour, Conn./Seymour). Tomlinson played the opening 53:25 and made five saves, while Ihrig turned back six TMC shots on goal.
Zack Lawson stopped two shots in goal for the Saints, who clinched the PAC regular-season crown and the No. 1 seed for the conference tournament.
