Late Field Goal lifts Columbus to 55-52 win over Soul
May 15, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA â The Philadelphia Soul (6-9) were defeated by the Columbus Destroyers (2-13) in their last home game of the season in front of a crowd of 17,092 at the Wachovia Center this afternoon. The win marked the first time the Destroyers have defeated the Soul in both team's two year history.
The Soul had a chance to tie the game with five seconds remaining in the game but Soul kicker Tim Seder's 43-yard field goal attempt went wide left as time expired. Destroyers' kicker Steve Videtich drilled a 20-yard field goal with 26 seconds remaining in the game to secure the victory.
Columbus put the first points on the board with a seven yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt D'Orazio to wide receiver/defensive back Jeremy Unertl. Philadelphia wasted no time in evening the score with a two-yard run from Chris "Soul Train" Ryan tying the game at 7-7. D'Orazio's one-yard touchdown run put the Destroyers back up by a score late in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Soul quarterback Tony Graziani completed a 13-yard touchdown pass to offensive specialist Steve Smith as well as a 45-yard score to wide receiver/linebacker Marcus Knight. Ryan who ran for three touchdowns, rumbled for a 17-yard score with 6:44 left in the second quarter. D'Orazio answered with two touchdown passes, the first a 26-yard pass to offensive specialist Damien Groce, and a 36-yard pass to WR/LB Cornelius White with 55 seconds left in the quarter bringing the score to 28-28. The kickers determined the final score of the quarter with the Soul's Tim Seder converting a 23-yarder matched by Videtich's 28-yard field goal for a 31-31 score at halftime.
Smith also tallied three touchdowns and added 109 receiving yards. Ryan was the game's leading rusher with 22 yards on the ground.
The third quarter started slowly with each team scoring only once. The Soul got a one-yard touchdown run from Ryan, while D'Orazio completed a 33-yard touchdown pass to OS Bobby Olive. The Destroyer's tied the game going into the final quarter 38-38.
The fourth quarter started with the Destroyers in possession of the ball. D'Orazio completed a four-yard pass to White, six seconds into the frame, to take a 45-38 lead. The Soul answered the touchdown with a 16-yard pass from Graziani to Smith. White then blew past the Soul defense â to a chorus of "boos" from the crowd â scoring again from a thirteen-yard pass from D'Orazio. The Soul regained control by tying the game with a nine-yard pass completion to Smith evening the score at 52-52 with 48 seconds remaining. Unfortunately the score would not be enough to keep the Soul spirit alive, as Videtich completed a 20-yard field goal to win the game 55-52.
The Soul will close out their season on Sunday May 22, against the Dallas Desperados. The game will be televised on NBC Sports (WCAU-10 Philadelphia) at 3 p.m. EST. It can also be heard live on Philadelphia's NewsTalk 990 am and at www.philadelphiasoul.com.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 15, 2005
- Crush win Central Division title - Colorado Crush
- Destroyers take Soul out of Philly - Columbus Destroyers
- Rush fail to clinch playoff spot in 51-40 loss to Rampage - Chicago Rush
- Late Field Goal lifts Columbus to 55-52 win over Soul - Philadelphia Soul
- Storm Extinguish Dragons to Open Playoff Door - Tampa Bay Storm
- Gladiators fall to Avengers, 63-60 - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Rampage stop Rush, 51-40 - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Avengers Claim First Western Division Crown - OSC Original by Tim Peterson
- Rattlers sting SaberCats - Arizona Rattlers
- Rattlers Defeat SaberCats 54-44 - San Jose SaberCats
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