Men's Soccer Rallies from 2-0 Deficit to Clinch Playoff Spot

Wednesday, November 3

Easton, PA

7 P.M.

Army West Point

7-7-2, 4-4-1PL

Lafayette

7-7-4, 3-3-3PL

Army

Lafayette

Photo by: Army Athletics

Men's Soccer Rallies from 2-0 Deficit to Clinch Playoff Spot

November 03, 2021 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Phil Tor

GAME 16
SCORE	Army Black Knights – 0 Lafayette Leopards – 2
RECORDS	Army (7-7-2, 4-4-1 Patriot) Lafayette (7-7-4, 3-3-3 Patriot)
SCORERS	Lafayette- 21' David Mizrahi, 72' Hale Lombard Army – 79' John Poncy, 85' Andrew Guerra
LOCATION	Oaks Stadium – Easton, Pa.

EASTON, Pa. – It was do or die for the Army West Point men's soccer team on the final night of the regular season. The Black Knights (7-7-2, 4-4-1 PL), faced off against the Lafayette Leopards (7-7-4), 3-3-3 PL) needing one more point in League play to secure a spot in the Patriot League playoffs.

After surrendering two unanswered goals to the Leopards, the Cadets rallied to score two goals of their own and force a tie, earning the decisive point that would put them in the Patriot League Tournament for the first time since 2018.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Army was quick on the attack in the contest, with Andrew Guerra putting a shot on net in the first minute of the game.

John Poncy and Cooper Warren both had opportunities off Army set pieces later in the first half but could not find the back of the net as the score remained knotted at 0 through the first 20 minutes of action.

Lafayette would score late in the first half to take the lead heading into the break.

The Leopard lead would stretch to 2-0 after a 72' goal in the second half.

The Army rally began in the 79th minute when John Poncy scored a goal off a rocket shot from the top of the 18. The senior's sixth goal of the season put the Black Knights within striking distance in a last-ditch effort to force an overtime. Andrew Guerra took advantage of that opportunity, as he buried a shot in the back of the Lafayette net after a cross from Colman Kim was deflected. Guerra's fifth goal of the season was the equalizer Army needed to force an overtime period.

Lafayette created the first opportunity in the overtime period, but the Jacob Suppiah saved his fifth shot of the contest to keep the Leopards off the board.

Army's defense supported Suppiah with a number of great plays to clear the ball off the backline. None, however, were more critical than Dylan Mitchiner's save in the 95th minute to preserve the tie. D'Anthony Brown also recorded a team save to hold Lafayette at two goals earlier in the second half.

The Army defense stood strong for the remainder of the overtime period, holding Lafayette scoreless as the contest finished in a 2-2 tie.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

The Black Knights will play the in the Patriot League Tournament for the first time since 2018
John Poncy's sixth goal of the season in the 79th minutes started the Army rally. His total is now tied for most on the team
Andrew Guerra's 85' goal was the fifth of the season and forced overtime
Jacob Suppiah saved five shots in the contest to bring his season total to 42
D'Anthony Brown and Dylan Mitchiner also made saves to preserve the tie
Poncy (5) and Guerra (3) led the team in shots on goal
Army put nine shots on goal compared to Lafayette's seven

COACH PLOTKIN'S REACTION
"I can't say enough about the fight of our team tonight. They never doubted themselves regardless of the score or the time on the clock.

That a team of Lafayette's quality will miss the conference tournament speaks to the level of play in the Patriot League. They are a very talented team with players and a coach who believe in their identity.

We were gritty tonight. We kept believing, stayed together and got the result needed. We head to Holy Cross now for the quarterfinal matchup." Army Head Men's Soccer Coach, Brian Plotkin

CADET QUOTES
"That was an unbelievable effort from all the guys tongiht to pull out the result we needed. Tonight, we showed why we are the grittiest team in the country." - Senior goalkeeper and captain, Jacob Suppiah

"The result is huge for us but what means the most is that we fought as a team the whole time and didn't give up. The boys are buzzing for the tournament and will be going into the next match with our heads up, ready to play." - Senior forward John Poncy

UP NEXT
The 6-seed Black Knights will travel to Worcester, Mass. on Saturday for a matchup with the 3-seed Holy Cross Crusaders. More information will be available on goarmywestpoint.com as soon as it is announced.