Published: Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009 / Updated: Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009 12:41 AM

Distracted Eagles rally to tie Radford in Posipanko's absence

Over the last couple of years, Winthrop soccer coach Rich Posipanko has frequently driven north from Rock Hill to Pennsylvania to spend time with his elderly mother. Often times, he would stop along the way to say hello to friend, Spencer Smith, Radford's soccer coach.

The two Big South coaches have known each other since Smith started at Radford some 16 years ago. Smith said the coaches talk to each other a lot. He knew Posipanko was headed north on Tuesday and that the trip wasn't going to include a stop in Radford.

Smith feared the worst.

Posipanko's mother, Isabel, passed away Friday night. She was 89 years old.

Smith was on the sidelines as his Radford Highlanders fought to a 2-2 tie with Winthrop on Saturday afternoon at Eagle Field. Posipanko, understandably, was not.

“(Posipanko) is a great guy,” Smith said, bundled up in a Radford jacket and rain pants standing outside the team bus after the game. “He was there for me when my father passed five years ago. I hope I can help him through this.”

Winthrop's associate head coach, Daniel Ridenhour, has led the team since Posipanko's departure. The Eagles play again Tuesday at College of Charleston. Ridenhour was unsure whether Posipanko would be back for that game.

“Obviously, our thoughts and prayers are with (Posipanko) today,” Ridenhour said. The team asked for a moment of silence before the game to recognize the coaches' mother.

“I think the players really wanted to respond today,” Ridenhour added. “Radford came out, maybe, more prepared to play. Our minds may have been on something else to start the game. They really pressed us.”

Radford scored the first two goals of the match. Brian Gwanzura got the first one in the 18th minute. James Leith made it 2-0 in the 33rd minute of play.

Winthrop responded quickly after the second goal and added the equalizer in the 37th minute.

“When we are off the field, (Posipanko) is in our hearts,” Winthrop senior co-captain Cameron Alksnis said. “On the field, we tried to prepare the same way we always do and take care of business.”

The Eagles, 8-2-2 overall and 3-0-2 in Big South action, had plenty of chances in the second half but were unable to finish off anything.

Miquel Casajuana scored both goals for the Eagles.

Radford came into the game with an 0-3-1 record in the Big South. The team failed to score a goal in conference play.

“I think we are a better team than our record shows,” Smith said of his Radford team's fortunes. “Winthrop is an exceptional team on the counter attack. They caught us flat-footed late in the first half.”

Winthrop has been among the nation's highest scoring teams all season. Matt Skonicki, the team's leading scorer, didn't start the game. He received a cortisone shot Thursday for an Achilles' tendon injury that has been sore and slow to heal.

Skonicki entered the match halfway through the first half and played the remainder of the game. He showed no signs that the injury was bothersome, and he assisted on Casajuana's tying goal.