Greco's 'Amazing' Goal Sparks Rally by Gophers

Greco's 'Amazing' Goal Sparks Rally by Gophers

Holbrook Stops Two Breakaways, Makes Six Saves in Victory

August 30, 2008

TOWSON, Md. – A spectacular goal by Julien Greco (Shutesbury, Mass./St. George's School) ignited a three-goal uprising in the second half today that carried Goucher to a 3-1 season-opening triumph over Immaculata on the first day of the Goucher College Soccer Classic.

Greco's goal, which was set up by Phil Hirsch (Amherst, Mass./Amherst Regional), created a 1-1 tie at 56:10. The junior forward knocked a pass from Hirsch in the net, using a left-footed bicycle kick.

"That was truly an amazing goal," head coach Gary Dunda of the Gophers said after the game. "You don't see ones like that every game."

The tie held up until Andrew Bull (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West) headed a ball from Galen Guindon (Wallingford, Pa./Friends Central) into the net at 72:28, putting the Gophers (1-0) ahead for the first time at 2-1. Goucher's lead grew to two goals when Tim McMullen (Millersville, Md./Old Mill) successfully converted a penalty kick at 87:40.

"Our depth proved to be the deciding factor today," according to Dunda. "I sensed we were wearing them down in the second half."

Dunda's Gophers could have been down by more than just 1-0 at the half were it not for some incredible saves by junior goalkeeper Justin Holbrook (Claymont, Del./Wilmington Friends School). Although he allowed a goal by Chris Conlan at 37:08, he stopped shots on two breakaways by the Mighty Macs (0-1) in the first half and finished with six saves.

"Justin kept us in the game in the first half with a couple of really nice saves," Dunda said. "We could have been down by two or three goals at the half, which would have made a comeback even tougher for us to pull off."