Sept. 3, 2000
MADISON, Wisc. - Gonzaga University scored three straight second-half goals Sunday to erase a 2-1 halftime deficit in a 4-3 win over Drake University in a battle of Bulldogs at the Rocky Rococo-UW Classic hosted by the University of Wisconsin.
The Bulldogs of Gonzaga claimed second with a 1-1 record. Host UW won the tournament with a 2-0 mark and the Bulldogs of Drake were winless in two outings. Wisconsin seniors Narciso Fernandes and Steve Sorenson were named the Offensive and Defensive MVP's, respectively. Gonzaga placed Justin Franson, Abbas Faridnia and Brian Ching on the all-tournament team. Others named to the all-tournament team were UW's Dominic DaPra, Abraham Bull and keeper Moriba Bakers, and the Drake trio of Garry Saunders, Brian Newland and Chris Scanlon.
Drake was forced to play the second half one man short when Jason Longhauser received a red card with less than two minutes remaining in the opening half. Gonzaga, a 3-1 loser Saturday to Wisconsin, quickly capitalized on the man advantage and drew even at 2-2 just 2:03 into the second half when Scott Bertram dribbled behind the defense and connected on a cross shot. Alika Cosner gave Gonzaga the lead for good at 60:33 when he shot from the left side and found the open net as keeper Nick Bratt got tied up and couldn't recover. Jason Kuska's second goal of the match less than three minutes later gave Gonzaga a 4-2 cushion.
Drake pulled to within one goal at 67:05 when Dusty Grau scored on a long cross shot from the right side.
A 3-2 loser Friday to Wisconsin, Drake got on the scoreboard first Sunday. Matt Sahag scored on a header past keeper Gunnar Magnusson, making his first collegiate start, at 4:31. But Kuska tied the match at 20:07 as he put his rebound past Bratt. Drake took a 2-1 halftime lead when Brian Daux scored at 25:20 on a give-and-go down the middle from Scanlon.
Gonzaga held a 20-15 shots advantage. Magnusson had 4 saves, while Bratt was called on for 8 stops.
The Bulldogs return to action next weekend in the University of San Diego Tournament, facing Oakland University of Michigan Friday at 5 p.m.
Gonzaga 1 3 - 4Drake 2 1 - 3
First Half: 1, DU, Sahag (Murad) 4:31, 2, GU, Kuska (unassisted) 20:07, 3, DU, Daux (Scanlon) 25:20.Second Half: 4, GU, Bertram (unassisted) 47:03, 5, GU, Cosner (Kuska) 60:33, 6, GU, Kuska (unassisted) 63:26, 7, DU, Grau (Bourne) 67:05.Shots - DU 15, GU 20. Saves - DU 8 (Bratt 8), GU 4 (Magnusson 4). Fouls - DU 20, GU 14. Att - 431.
