Men's Soccer Falls Short in A-10 Final

Saturday, April 17

Dayton, OH

12 PM

George Washington University

5-3-2, 3-1-2

Fordham

6-0-2, 2-0-2

Fordham

4/17/2021 3:03:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Fordham claimed 2-0 win to take title

DAYTON, Ohio - GW men's soccer had its spirited run come to a close on Saturday afternoon, dropping a 2-0 decision to Fordham in the final of the Atlantic 10 Championship at Baujan Field.

The Buff and Blue were denied their first A-10 title since 2004 by the Rams, who netted a goal in each half to claim the conference crown and an automatic berth in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

GW put together an extraordinary week to earn this opportunity. The Buff & Blue needed a 4-1 win at Davidson last Saturday to secure a spot in the four-team field, and they proceeded to knock off host Dayton, 1-0, on Thursday to advance to their first final since 2011.

On Saturday, GW was unable to replicate its proven formula for success one more time.

After a run of early pressure, Fordham (7-0-2) finally cracked the Buff and Blue's nationally-ranked defense in the 30th minute. Galen Flynn's long service into the box found Matt Sloan's head for the score.

The Rams were able to pad the lead shortly after the halftime break with Alberto Pangrazzi's header from Sameer Fathazada in the 55th minute.

Down the stretch, GW ramped up the offensive pressure, but the group from Foggy Bottom was ultimately unable to score vs. a Fordham defense that has allowed just five goals in nine games this season. Goalkeeper Josh Levine was credited with one save in earning the clean sheet.

Continuing his stellar play this season, GW goalkeeper Justin Grady did all he could to keep his team within striking distance, tallying five saves. His best stop came in the 33rd minute when he leaped to tip away a free kick from Sloan ticketed for the top corner of the net.

Grady, Sandro Weber and Tom Cooklin were honored afterward as part of the All-Championship Team. Weber scored the winner vs. Dayton, assisted by Cooklin and first-year Carter Humm.

GW wraps the unprecedented spring season at 5-3-2, including an unbeaten 3-0-1 mark on its home field on the Mount Vernon Campus. Grady (41 saves, 0.65 GAA) and Oscar Haynes Brown (team-high five goals) led the way earning All-Conference honors for a youthful group that began the season picked 11th out of 13 teams in the conference preseason proll.