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News Release

Men's Soccer: Retrievers Play to Scoreless Draw with St. Francis (N.Y.) in adidas Kick Off Classic

9/7/2007

  • Box Score

    Baltimore, Md.—The UMBC men’s soccer team posted its second consecutive shutout, but couldn’t solve the St. Francis (N.Y) College defense as the two teams played to a 0-0 double overtime draw in the nightcap of the adidas Kick Off Classic at UMBC.

     

    The Retrievers are now 2-0-1 overall and remain unbeaten through three games for the first time since 2001. The Terriers’ record is even at 1-1-1.

     

    Navy defeated Iona, 2-1, in the second overtime period in the opener. The Midshipmen improved to 2-0-1, while the Gaels are now 1-2.

     

    UMBC, which did not record a single shutout in 2006, has not allowed a goal since the 41st minute of the opener at Air Force, a span of 249 scoreless minutes. But the Retrievers failed to mount the same attacking posture that gave them back-to-back wins last weekend. Midfielders Shondell Busby, Levi Houapeu and Kevin Gnatiko had a flurry of chances early in the game, but could not convert and freshman midfielder John Paul Waraksa’s header off a Bryan Moffa corner later in the half just missed the corner of the frame.

     

    The Retrievers picked up their play in the second half, but couldn’t break through in the steamy conditions at UMBC Soccer Stadium. UMBC netminder Steve King made a game-saving diving stop of  Sesmo Nikocevic blast with 3:39 remaining in regulation to preserve the tie.

     

    UMBC outshot their guests, 11-10. King made five saves for the Retrievers, while Terrier netminder Chris Antonio had six stops for his side. Ironically, the last 0-0 overtime tie that UMBC played was a game vs. Navy in October of 2005.

     

    Iona played an outstanding first half and jumped ahead, 1-0 in the 14th minute as Fernando Liserra knocked in a rebound of an Aly Lo drive. But the Midshipmen captured the momentum in the second half and tied the score as Adam Pennington drilled home a perfect Justin Waskey cross in the 51st minute. Just 3:47 into the second overtime period, Navy defender Chris Schneider sent a cross into the box, where midfielder Mark Garcia volleyed a bicycle-style kick past goalkeeper Nils Binstock from seven yards away.

     

    Navy will face St. Francis at noon on Sunday, and UMBC concludes play in the classic as they face Iona at 2:30 p.m.