Hampden-Sydney Soccer

TIGERS FALL TO STEVENSON 1-0

DeProspero, Turner Named to All-Tournament Team

(September 6, 2009) HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA – The Hampden-Sydney soccer team suffered their first setback of the young season today, falling to the Stevenson University Mustangs in a tense 1-0 decision in the final game of the 2009 Hampden-Sydney Soccer Classic.

The play was back and forth from the opening whistle, with neither team being able to penetrate the other side's back line. Hampden-Sydney freshman Nick DeProspero (Midlothian, VA/Cosby) had an early shot go wide, then Stevenson's Ansger Otto responded with a shot of his own that was stopped by junior goalkeeper John Robert Plyler (Charlotte, NC/Myers Park). The scoreless tie was broken in the 20th minute when a Stevenson cross from the right side ricocheted off of several different players before landing on the foot of the Mustangs' Brooks Kyker, who was able to redirect the ball into the upper corner of the net.

The Tigers would not stop trying, however, as just minutes later junior Matt Swaney (Potomac Falls, VA/Potomac Falls) one-timed a rocket of a shot from the top of the box that was stopped by a diving Stevenson goalkeeper. In the 32nd minute, freshman Chris Whiteside (Virginia Beach, VA/Frank W. Cox) made a determined run up the field and was tackled in the penalty box by Stevenson's keeper, drawing a penalty kick. On the kick, Matt Swaney faked the goalkeeper into diving the wrong direction, but his shot sailed just over the crossbar. Minutes before halftime, DeProspero was again causing mayhem for the Stevenson back line, going on a gritty solo run through three defenders before firing a shot over the keeper that hit the crossbar.

Down 1-0, the Tigers really turned up the pressure in the second half, controlling the pace and keeping the ball, but the Stevenson defense would not break. The Tigers were able to draw seven total corner kicks, and outshot Stevenson 12-11, including four shots on goal to the Mustangs' three. On each opportunity, however, the home squad was unable to find the back of the net.

Lynchburg College won the first matchup of the day against Shenandoah by a score of 4-0, marking the second straight game that they won by four goals.

For their strong play over the course of the tournament, freshman Nick DeProspero and junior Sam Turner (Richmond, VA/Benedictine) were named to the all-tournament team. They were joined by Charles Perrin of Shenandoah, Brooks Kyker, Kyle Baker, and Justin Bean from Stevenson, and Pat Brown, Ben Phelps, Hunter Smith, and Zach Ward from Lynchburg. Lynchburg's Donald Hart was named tournament Most Valuable Player.

With the loss, Hampden-Sydney drops to 2-1-0, and will return to action on Saturday, September, 12 at noon on Miller Field as they host Wesley in the first game of the Tiger Invitational.

Hampden-Sydney Soccer Classic All-Tournament Team

Charles Perrin Shenandoah

Brooks Kyker Stevenson

Kyle Baker Stevenson

Justin Bean Stevenson

Nick DeProspero Hampden-Sydney

Sam Turner Hampden-Sydney

Pat Brown Lynchburg

Ben Phelps Lynchburg

Hunter Smith Lynchburg

Zach Ward Lynchburg

Donald Hart (MVP) Lynchburg

-www.hsc.edu/athletics-