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  Home Page » Sports » College » Wells Saves Hawks

Wells saves 'Hawks

Purcell gets goal, keeper nets win, as No. 1 FLC reaches Tampa

by Aaron Unterreiner
Herald Sports Editor Zane Wells saw something that 1,500-plus fans at Dirks Field likely did not: Kevin Gallaugher looked right.

Last year's reigning Division II player of the year unknowingly gave away his intent to deposit a second-half, potentially game-tying penalty kick into the bottom right half of the frame.

Wells didn't guess; he didn't have to.

"He was about 10 to 15 yards from the ball," said Wells, who calmly eyed his opponent's PK preparation while the rest of Sunday's audience simply stood stunned at the Skyhawks' twist in fortune. "I saw him glance right, so I stutter-stepped right to make sure he'd go right."

Wells' gambit paid off.

Gallaugher, who started his approach from nearly 25 yards out, took the bait.

Wells, the Skyhawks' All-American goalkeeper, patiently stepped in the opposite direction of where he thought the Cal State Dominguez Hills All-American defenseman was going to shoot, then he sprinted toward his left goalpost.

Gallaugher shot right.

Wells dived left.

"That was definitely the biggest save of my career," the Durango High School alumnus and Fort Lewis College senior captain said.

Or, another way to look at it: "His save took us to Tampa," Euan Purcell said.

Fort Lewis, the No. 1 team in the nation, again survived and advanced in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championships with a 1-0 shutout against No. 15 Cal State Dominguez Hills on Sunday at Dirks Field.

FLC is going to the Final Four in Tampa, Fla.

"We didn't play our usual game, a bit of nerves maybe," said Purcell, who scored the game-winning goal in the 60th minute of the playoff match.

"We did what we needed to do, though, now we're off to Tampa."

Fort Lewis' pinpoint passing was absent in the first half, and Hills' offense was no more impressive. With very little proper build-up, the game slowly was reduced to a point-counterpoint of set pieces, which meant the loss of left fullback Sam Morris loomed large.

Morris, whose left foot provides service for all set pieces on one-half of the pitch, injured his shoulder on a hard tackle just 10 minutes into the game.

Berekk Blackwell played in his stead.

"Berekk played awesome," Wells said.

"We are a rounded team. Someone steps off, and someone steps in to fill his boots."

Nobody, including FLC head athletic trainer Wayne Barger, would pass judgment on Morris' injury until further examination. The early diagnosis, however, was a sprained acromioclavicular (AC) joint in the senior's shoulder. He is to learn the full extent of the injury today.

Morris' injury brings the Skyhawks' wounded starters to three: Morris, David Barden and Keane Hamilton.

For the second consecutive game, Barden dressed but did not play because of a sprained ankle. Hamilton, who broke his collarbone Oct. 23, has been cleared to practice this week.

"Hopefully we'll be healthy," Wood said for the Final Four, which will be played Dec. 3-5 at the University of Tampa. "We get two weeks off, so that should be good for us."

Dimosthenis Kyrmanidis filled Morris' boots for his half of set pieces, but neither side cashed in on their cache of free kicks.

The first half ended in a scoreless tie.

"In a game like this, it's going to be pretty even," Wood said. "Both teams were up for it."

FLC assistant Brian Fredrick said the coaching staff had to remind the Skyhawks at the half that they are the nation's top goal-scoring team. More or less, don't worry about the perfect strike, just worry about the original strike.

Purcell caught a break early in the second half.

Tom Settle, the D-II leader in assists, played the in-ball over the top of Hills' defense down the right flank. Purcell ran on top, with Gallaugher step-for-step on his left hip.

"I got in front of him but had to take the early shot," Purcell said.

It wasn't perfect, but it was original.

Purcell's shot just cleared Gallaugher and beat Hills' keeper Markus Dickerson to the far post for the 1-0 advantage.

"At the end of the first half, their defense was pushing up and leaving loads of gaps," Purcell said. "We finally got a ball to go through.

"I was fortunate enough it went in."

Five minutes later, Wells' heroics took center stage.

Marco Pulido was tackled at the 15-yard line by Blackwell, and referee Matt Reed awarded Hills a penalty kick.

One-all game, right?

"Tough to say," said Purcell, allowing himself a mischievous smile.

"I'm definitely very delighted Zane made a magnificent save that kept us in the game."

One minute later, Wells again preserved the shutout with a diving save at the goal line.

Scott Mariano redirected Greg Piechota's corner kick at the far bar back toward the goal mouth, but Wells again dived left to rob the header in traffic.

"That was a brave save, diving at people's feet," FLC coach Oige Kennedy said of Wells, who was named the Super Region's most valuable player with three wins and two shutouts.

"My personal opinion is that Zane Wells is the best keeper in the country. He's in a different class."

The goal, an advantage, and Wells' play emblazoned the Fort in the final 20 minutes.

"That made it easier for us," Wood said. "After that, we were able to move the ball a lot better.

"Zane was huge for us; that MVP was well-earned.

"That PK save was huge," Wood said. "Without that, who knows where we'd be."

Tampa?

Maybe not.

aaron@durangoherald.com

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