Zavala’s Overtime Score Sends Brandywine To United East Quarterfinals

CHESTER, Pa. -- Christian Zavala (Kennett Square, Pa./Kennett) stepped to the penalty spot and calmly deposited an overtime goal to send No. 8 Penn State Brandywine to the quarterfinal round of the United East Conference Men's Soccer Tournament as the Lions topped No. 9 Notre Dame of Maryland 2-1 in the tournament's opening round on Wednesday afternoon at the WSFS Bank Sportsplex.

A long throw in led to a foul committed in the box by the Gators as Lukas Garthwait (Williamstown, N.J./Williamstown) was hauled down from behind. The ensuing penalty kick allowed Zavala to deposit the golden goal, his team-leading sixth goal of the season, with 2:20 remaining in overtime. Zavala is now 4-for-4 on penalty tries this fall.

The teams played a defensive first half with both squads putting just one shot on target during the opening 45 minutes and entered intermission knotted at 0-0. The Lions recorded the half's top scoring opportunity when Ethan Faulkner (Huntington Beach, Calif./Marina) rang a drive off the cross bar during the fourth minute.

Brandywine struck for the first goal of the game at the 65:13 mark. Zavala sent a lead pass through the middle and found the foot of Omar Simpson (Bear, Del./Christiana), who sent a low shot past Notre Dame keeper Mateo Gularte.

NDM answered quickly as the Gators evened the count just 1:25 later. Elijah DeBooth (West Lawn, Pa./Wilson) made an initial save, but the rebound landed with Peer Ewerbeck, who found the back of the net for the Gators.

DeBooth stopped five shots overall, including four during the second half, to win his seventh match of the season.

Zavala's goal in the 98th minute gave Brandywine its first-ever United East Tournament victory as the Lions are competing under the UEC banner for the first time in 2024.

Brandywine (8-7-3) will travel to Maryland Saturday for the quarterfinal round of the United East Tournament. The Lions will take on St. Mary's, the defending league champion, at 7:30 PM.