Today's game between Virginia and Drexel bore an eerily simlilar resemblance to the teams meeting at Drexel two years ago. A close first half with Virginia up by one, an early Drexel goal to tie the game, then a Virginia run to put the game away. This time it was just a four goal run instead of eight but it was enough to give Dom Starsia's Wahoos an 11-7 victory this afternoon in front of a chilly standing room only throng at Drexel's Vidas Field.
Drexel got off to a quick two goal lead on scores by Seniors Andrew Chapman and Chris O'Connor. Jack Riley and transfer Peter Lamade would tie the game for Virginia to end the first quarter at two all. Drexel went ahead to start the second on a Kevin Stockel goal before Virginia got a pair of Garrett Billings scores to take their first lead of the day. The Dragons then picked up the next two goals to take what would end up as their final lead of the day. Brian Carroll scored twice to send the Cavaliers into halftime with a 6-5 advantage.
Much like the game two years ago, the Dragons srtuck early in the third to tie the game at six and give their faithful thoughts of a second straight opening game upset. However, it was not to happen as Virginia would score the net four goals, Carroll and Billings completing hat tricks around Lamade's second score of the day, giving them a 10-6 lead with 13:49 remaining. Drexel's Greg Casey gave the fans hope for a comeback with 10:29 left but Virginia's Freshman keeper Adam Ghitelman and the Wahoo defense, led by Matt Kelly and Ken Clausen, kept the Dragons away from the net the remainder of the match.
Billings lead Virginia with seven points (three goals, four assists) while Carroll and Lamade each added an assist to their goal totals. Ghitelman made nine saves in his NCAA debut. For Drexel, Colin Ambler had three points (goal, two assists) while Andrew Chapman had two goals. Bruce Bickford made 15 saves for the Dragons. Saturday Drexel will visit their next door neighbors at Penn for a big city matchup while Viriginia will host Stony Brook.
Notables
Seen in attendance at today's game were Wings defenseman (and Penn assistant) Peter Jacobs and broadcaster Leif Elsmo, whose son Nick is a Freshman on the Virginia squad.
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