Fulton, Mo., April 20, 2021 – The Blue Jays came into tonight's St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinal game against the Greenville University Panthers looking to get back in the win column after a couple of tough losses to end the regular season. The Blue Jays used an early goal, some great ball control and a tremendous save from Chase Vogt late to outlast the Panthers 1-0 and do just what they wanted. The win sends the Blue Jays to Louisville, KY for the second time in a week to take on the Spalding University Golden Eagles in the Semifinals. The game is set for a 7:00 p.m. kick off on Thursday night.
The Blue Jays got settled into the match and had some great opportunities to take the lead early. In the 17th minute off of a counter attack the Blue Jays would put pressure on the Panther defense. Freddy Nene would take a ball just past midfield and would then find Justin Gerdiman up the field putting him in great position to play the ball through to Patrick Wisnewski who would beat the keeper just inside the far post for a 1-0 lead.
The Blue Jay defense led by Luciano Zarinelli, Sam Heckart, Jordan Kahrhoff, Barrett Smith and Chase Vogt the keeper made that one goal stand up. The latter making an incredible game saving save in the 82nd minute of the game. Vogt made a leaping save off of a shot from just about ten yards out of the left side of the goal mouth that kept the game tied. A wild last couple minutes were turned back by the Westminster defense regaining possession and clearing the ball to preserve the win for the Blue Jays.
The Jays were outshot by the Panthers 10-8 while each team took 2 corner kicks each. Vogt faced 5 shots on goal and made all 5 saves on his way to the clean sheet. It was his third shutout of the season.
By virtue of #7 seeded Fontbonne Universities upset of the #2 seeded Iowa Wesleyan University Tigers, the #4 seeded Blue Jays will now travel to Louisville, Ky. to take on the #3 seeded Spalding University Golden Eagles. The Jays lost a narrow 2-1 decision at Spalding this past Saturday in the regular season finale. The Blue Jays are looking forward to a chance at some redemption and a shot at a trip to the championship game.
