University of Washington
Furman (2nd Round)
Richey's Save Propels UW To Sweet 16 In PK's
November 24, 2014 | Men's Soccer
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SEATTLE – No. 12 Washington earned perhaps the most dramatic victory in program history, advancing in penalty kicks in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Spencer Richey saved Furman's penalty kick in the ninth round of the shootout for the Dawgs to prevail.
Washington originally trailed in the shootout after missing their first three shots, but clawed back in it, making six in a row, while Richey made a couple big saves. Beau Blanchard made his penalty in the eighth round, setting up the winning save for the Dawgs senior goalkeeper.
The two teams played to a 0-0 draw in regulation, despite Washington having perhaps its most complete performance in weeks. Washington outshout Furman 24-10 for the game and controlled the majority of the possession.
The Huskies pressured for the winning goal all the way through overtime, but were unable to convert. Mason Robertson had seven shots, including two on goal to lead the Washington offense.
The scoreless draw meant the game would be decided by penalties and things looked bleak after the Huskies missed their first three. Ian Lange made in the fourth round to get the Dawgs back in it, but after Furman also made that round, meaning UW trailed 2-1 heading to the final shooter.
In the fifth round, James Moberg calmly made his PK, but Furman had a chance to win it in the bottom of the round. This is when Richey came up huge for the first time, saving the driven shot to keep the Huskies alive.
Going to extra rounds both teams were on point. Steven Wright converted in the sixth round, Richey himself in the seventh, then Henry Wingo in the eighth and Blanchard in the ninth. Each time the Paladins had the answer until that ninth round when Richey came through with his second huge save, this time to move the Dawgs to the Sweet 16.
It was an exciting finish to what was a game the Huskies had their chances to put away earlier.
The Dawgs controlled possession and had the vast majority of the chances in the first half. Washington had 10 shots to just two from Furman, including a Justin Schmidt header off the post. Just 11:31 into the game, Moberg sent in a corner kick that found the head of Schmidt. He redirected the ball near post, but bounced off the woodwork.
Schmidt's near goal came just after Josh Heard was denied by the Furman goalkeeper with a left-footed shot to the near post. Overall, the Dawgs would put four shots on goal in the half as Cristian Roldan, Wright and Heard a second time all tested the Furman keeper.
The Dawgs will now advance to face third-seeded Michigan State in the Sweet 16. The Spartans will host the game next Sunday, November 30, in East Lansing. Michigan State advanced with a 1-0 victory over Oakland Sunday night and is a familiar foe as the Dawgs faced the Spartans in preseason, winning that contest, 1-0.
