Spring Break
Rayfield caps incredible comeback over Quakers
Mike Mazzeo
Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: Sports
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They trailed Penn 8-5 late in the fourth quarter and the freezing conditions were rather unbearable.
However, the resilient Dragons (1-1) responded with four consecutive goals to complete a miracle comeback as they stunned the Quakers (0-1) 9-8 at Franklin Field Feb. 23.
"Good question," Drexel head coach Chris Bates replied when asked how his team was able to rally from behind. "I give our guys credit. We played for 60 minutes - it wasn't pretty but we just kept playing and playing. It was not our best effort by any stretch but we made plays and still played with energy."
Adam Dennis led Drexel with two goals and two assists. Brian Neary also scored twice, while Colin Ambler, Chris O'Connor and Kevin Stockel each added a goal and an assist.
"We were just able to create some turnovers and we cashed in on some of their mistakes too," Bates said. "It's a team effort."
Kevin Dart started the rally with a sidearm shot that beat Penn goalie Chris Casey at the 8:35 mark.
Just 1:26, later the Dragons got a bounce to go their way.
A Penn clearing attempt was deflected right to Ambler who found himself all alone and scored on the breakaway to cut the lead to 8-7.
Drexel won the ensuing face-off and found itself on the man advantage when Brett Hughes was sent off for a body check.
The Dragons capitalized on the penalty and tied the game when Dennis found Stockel on the left point. Stockel fired a sidearm rocket which found the net tying the game with just 6:29 left as momentum began to shift.
Then, Dan Layfield became a hero as he received a pass from Dennis, cut to the right side of the goal and buried the shot past Casey with only 4:25 remaining, springing the frigid Drexel faithful into a frenzy.
The Quakers had a chance to tie with 32 seconds to go but Dragons goalie Bruce Bickford stoned Craig Andrzejewski, the Drexel defense was able to clear and time expired.
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