Hyde's Goals Lift Howard
Hyde’s Goals Send Howard To Conference Tournament
By Elliott Jones
WASHINGTON DC, Nov. 6-- Freshman forward Lamar Hyde scored twice in the final five minutes to seal a 2-0 victory for Howard University over Adelphi, and thus securing a spot in the inaugural Atlantic Soccer Conference (ASC) tournament. The Bison (3-9-2, 3-2-1 ASC) finish the regular season as the Number 2 seed in the conference, while the loss eliminates the Panthers (4-13-2, 2-4-0 ASC) from the tournament.
“It’s great to make the conference tournament for the first time,” said Howard Coach Keith Tucker. “It kind of makes our season, and it makes the college experience great for our players.”
The Bison were largely out-played in the first half, trailing 15-4
in total shots to Adelphi. Just four minutes in, Adelphi
junior forward Dieudonne Nonga sent a curling shot over the head of
Howard senior goalkeeper Jason Williams, hitting the far goal
post. Nonga threatened again in the 30th minute,
this time forcing an amazing save from Williams at close
range.
In the second half, Howard began to move the ball with more purpose and organization. The Bison created a series of genuine chances through junior midfielder Emile Innocent, junior midfielder/defender Devrae Tankard and senior forward Armond Brown. However, this increase in intent and offensive pressure was not enough to break the deadlock.
Tempers began to flare midway through the second half as players from both teams received yellow cards. When all was said and done, three Bison and two Panthers received bookings.
Just when it appeared as though the teams were heading for overtime, Hyde scored an unassisted goal in the 86th minute, splitting two defenders and sending a powerful drive into the top left corner of the goal. One minute later, the Hyattsville, MD native struck again, this time collecting a centering pass from junior midfielder Brian Mapp, freezing a defender and pushing past him to drive home from 15 yards out.
The goals were the first two of Hyde’s career and they could not have come at any more crucial moment so far this season.
“That’s the type of performance that people pay good money to see,” Tucker said of the freshman’s enormous game. “He’s an exceptionally talented young man and he did what he’s comfortable doing. He’s not scared out there.”
In addition to Hyde’s heroic effort, Williams had yet another outstanding day in goal with 13 saves.
Howard’s next match comes in the first round of the ASC Tournament, which is being held at Hartwick College. The Number 2 seed Bison will take on Number 3 seed Oneonta State at 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11. The other match will pit Number 1 seed Hartwick College against Number 4 seed Philadelphia University at 7 p.m. following the Howard-Oneonta State match. The winners of each match will advance to face each other in tournament final on Sunday, Nov. 13 at 1 p.m.
Howard and Oneonta State finished with the same conference record, but the Bison win the tie-breaker based on a better goal differential on the season. The tournament champion receives an automatic bid in the 2005 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer College Cup Tournament.
Finally, this afternoon’s match marked the final home game for seven Bison seniors. Along with the aforementioned Williams and Brown, Bode Akingbohungbe, Jerome Hyde, Andrew Fortune and Johnathan Smith played their final games at Greene Stadium for their careers.
Howard 2, Adelphi 0
Adelphi 0 0 0
Howard 0 2 2
GOALS:
HU- Lamar Hyde, 86th & 87th minute
ASSIST:
HU- Mapp
SHOTS:
AU- 22, HU- 13
SAVES:
HU- 13, AU- 5