FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Rookie midfielder Kelyn Rowe followed up Friday’s two-goal performance with a two-assist performance on Wednesday afternoon at Gillette Stadium, setting up both goals in the New England Revolution’s 2-1 win over Boston College.
Supplemental Draft selection Alec Purdie (28th minute) and captain Shalrie Joseph (52nd minute) were the goal scorers for the Revolution, sandwiched around a strike from BC’s Diego Medina-Mendez in the 33rd minute. The win improved New England’s preseason record to 3-0-0 following previous triumphs over Boston College and FC Tucson.
Training camp invitee Blake Brettschneider started at forward for the Revolution and almost opened the scoring in the 18th minute. The former D.C. United striker powered a header on frame from the middle of the box, but his effort was acrobatically tipped over the crossbar by Eagles goalkeeper Justin Luthy.
The Revs did make the breakthrough 10 minutes later when Purdie put the finishing touch on a clever pass from Rowe in the 28th minute. Rowe’s cutting through ball split open the Eagles’ backline and sent Purdie streaking into the right side of the box, where the former Indiana Hoosier buried his chance with a low shot inside the far post.
It took BC just five minutes to find an equalizer, however, as Medina-Mendez pulled the college side level in the 33rd minute. Kyle Bekker was the orchestrator with a short pass at the top of the box to spring Medina-Mendez, whose rising drive slipped through the hands of Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis before bouncing over the line.
Head coach Jay Heaps altered his formation to start the second half, bringing on Blake Wagner and Clyde Simms and moving to a 4-5-1 setup. Wagner took over for Chris Tierney at left back, pushing Tierney into a left midfield role, while Simms joined Joseph and Benny Feilhaber in central midfield. Brettschneider continued as the lone forward.
The move paid dividends just seven minutes into the second half as Joseph scored what proved to be the game winner in the 52nd minute. Rowe was once again the creator, whipping a right-wing cross to the back post for Joseph to bury from close range.
Second-half substitute Diego Fagundez had a golden chance to add a third for the Revs in the 65th minute, but his breakaway effort was pushed away and the follow-up try from Tierney was tipped narrowly over the crossbar by the sprawling goalkeeper.
The Revs return to Arizona for their second preseason training trip early next week as they’ll take part in the FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup along with the LA Galaxy, New York Red Bulls and Real Salt Lake.
New England Revolution vs. Boston College
February 15, 2012 – Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)
Scoring Summary:
NE – Alec Purdie (Kelyn Rowe) 28
BC – Diego Medina-Mendez (Kyle Bekker) 33
NE – Shalrie Joseph (Kelyn Rowe) 52
New England Revolution: Matt Reis (Bobby Shuttleworth 46), Chris Tierney (Michael Roach 77), Stephen McCarthy, Darrius Barnes, Kevin Alston (Tyler Polak 82), Kelyn Rowe (Kenny Mansally 82), Shalrie Joseph (Gabe Mercier 82), Benny Feilhaber (Diego Fagundez 60), Alec Purdie (Blake Wagner 46), Fernando Cardenas (Clyde Simms 46), Blake Brettschneider (Zack Schilawski 74)
Boston College: Justin Luthy (Keady Segal 79), Patrick Chin (Isaac Taylor 68), Nick Corliss, Chris Ager, Ryan Dunn, Kyle Bekker, Colin Murphy, Conor Fitzpatrick (Stefan Carter 74), Diego Medina-Mendez (Cameron Stoker 82), Kevin Mejia (Christian Johnson 57), Charlie Rugg
Misconduct Summary:
NE – Shalrie Joseph (caution) 51
Notes: Six Revolution players were unavailable today because of illness or injury: Zak Boggs (ankle), Ryan Guy (calf), Ryan Kinne (illness), John Lozano (adductor), Sainey Nyassi (hamstring), A.J. Soares (knee)
