Sept. 19, 2003

Box Score

FRESNO, Calif. - Gonzaga University's men's soccer team fell victim to a third straight second-half comeback Friday as Fresno State University scored twice in a two-minute span in the final eight minutes for a 2-1 win over the visiting Bulldogs in the Goal Rush Classic hosted by the homestanding Bulldogs.

It was the third straight match Gonzaga (3-3-0) had surrendered a late lead. Last weekend Gonzaga led Oregon State University 2-0 only to see the Beavers score four unanswered goals, and two days later the University of Illinois-Chicago rallied from a 3-0 deficit for a 4-3 overtime victory over the Bulldogs.

Spokane freshman John Palladino scored his first collegiate goal to give Gonzaga a 1-0 lead at 25:40, Grayson Tenney getting the assist as Palladino deflected a cross. The match would remain 1-0 until 82:54 when Jeremiah LeRoy scored on a 5-yard chip shot to beat Gonzaga keeper Vito Higgins. Less than two minutes later Andrew Gregorio scored on a deflection off a header by Corey Sipos to give FSU the 2-1 lead and send the home Bulldogs on their way to their first win in five matches this season.

FSU outshot Gonzaga 17-6, but despite the huge shot advantage Higgins was called on to make just two saves while FSU keeper Eric Kronberg had four saves. Each team had some near misses, Gonzaga having one shot catch iron while FSU had two shots knocked out of harms way by the Gonzaga defense for a pair of team saves.

FSU also had eight corner kicks to one for Gonzaga, and the visitors were whistled for 20 fouls to seven for FSU.

Gonzaga will conclude play in the Goal Rush Classic at noon Sunday against Sacramento State University, a 2-0 loser to Alabama A&M in Friday's first match.