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Purdue Fort Wayne
Gardner-Webb
Qafleshi Converts to Lead 'Dons Past Unbeaten Bulldogs 1-0
9/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 11, 2009
Fort Wayne, IN - Liridon Qafleshi converted on teammate Raphael Martinez's 71st minute free kick to break the tie and give the 'Dons a big early season victory over the previously unbeaten Gardner-Webb Bulldogs, 1-0.
As has been the trademark of the season thus far, the IPFW defense kept the first half scoreless, as both teams headed to halftime knotted at zero.
Twenty-five minutes into second half action, a Bulldog foul set up a Mastodon free kick from 30 yards out. Martinez served a beautiful ball into the box, and the offense executed the set piece to perfection, as Qafleshi made one touch to tap the ball into the net for the score.
The goal is the junior's first of the 2009 campaign.
Gardner-Webb, who ranked seventh in the latest NSCAA South Region polls, fought back in the game's waning minutes. The Bulldogs took four of their 13 corner kicks in the final two and a half minutes of action. The final corner of the game nearly evened the score, but Dowling was able to snuff out the header and clear the ball, preserving the one-goal lead.
But the Bulldogs still weren't done. They drove the ball back down again and, with just four seconds on the clock, Joe Reinhardsen's shot sailed high of the goal, sealing the IPFW victory.
The shutout is Donovan Dowling's third in five matches this season. The junior dropped his goals against average to a measly 0.60 and his five saves on the game pushed his season total to 23.
Qafleshi led the Mastodons offensive attack with four shots on the day.
The 'Dons will stay in Rock Hill, S.C. to take on host Winthrop. The 'Dons and Eagles will kick-off the final match of the Wingate Inn Classic at noon on Sunday (Sept. 13).
~Dons~
