Sept. 11, 2010

Box Score

Garden City, N.Y. - The Adelphi men's soccer team played host to Sacred Heart in the third game of a four game home stand on Saturday, September 11. The Panthers were wrapped up in a physical battle all night, and pushed the game into overtime, before falling 2-1 to the Pioneers. With the loss Adelphi's record falls to an even, 2-2, while Sacred Heart remains unbeaten at, 4-0.

Sacred Heart had the first real opportunity in the first half of play and made it count. A Pioneer striker was taken down near the top of the penalty box in the 31st minute of play and Adelphi was whistled for the foul, giving Sacred Heart an opportunity at goal. Marcello Castro made the direct kick count, sending it under the Panthers wall and into the back of the net, giving the Pioneers a 1-0 lead that they would take into the half.

The game could have easily been, 2-0 at the half if not for Adelphi's defense and their goalkeeper, Thorne Holder. In the 38th minute Omer Levy sent a header toward the Panther goal that hit the crossbar and the ensuing rebound ended up on the foot of Castro, who fired a one timer at the Panther goal, where a diving Holder pushed it aside, saving a goal.

Just minutes later the Pioneers were whistled for a foul near the top of their penalty area and Adelphi was awarded a free kick. Alexander Kouznetsov stood over the ball and struck a gorgeous kick around the Pioneer wall and into the left side of net, evening the score at one in the 42nd minute of play.

The play remained physical in the second half and both teams had quality chances to end the game in regulation. Holder was forced to make another outstanding save in the early going of the second half, as an Adelphi defender slipped, giving the Pioneer attack a clear chance at goal. However, Holder came off his line and again turned the shot harmlessly away.

Later in the half Adelphi's Issa Tall was streaking down the right flank and a had a nice ball played to his feet. He advanced on the goal, but Sacred Heart's Alex Fait came off his line and took away the advantage before Tall could capitalize. Adelphi also had several chances near the mouth of the goal in the final 10 minutes of play, but the Pioneer defense was swarming and blocked three of the Panthers quality attempts, forcing overtime.

Sacred Heart took advantage of the first opportunity they were given in the extra time as the Pioneer defense sent a long ball into the attacking third of the field, where Brian Francolini collected it. He had an Adelphi defender on his back but was able to turn, gain space and beat Holder, securing the victory for Sacred Heart.

Both Holder and Fait played well, as Fait collected six saves and the win and Holder was credited with two saves and the loss. Despite the loss, Adelphi held a statistical edge in shots, 15-10 and corner kicks, 8-1 and were whistled for more fouls, 16-13.

The Panthers close out their four game home stand on Tuesday, September 14 when they take on Iona at 7:00 pm on Motamed Field.