Saints, Falcons Finish in 1-1 Draw in Saturday GNAC Play

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Albertus Magnus College men's soccer team fought for 110 minutes on Saturday afternoon in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action, emerging with a 1-1 double-overtime tie against the Saints of Emmanuel (Mass.) College at Celentano Field.

Down 1-0 20:23 through the first half, freshman Arian Bobi (Amity, Conn.) found the back of the net, scoring his second goal of the season as well as evening the game at 1-1.

THE BASICS
FINAL: Albertus Magnus 1 | Emmanuel (Mass.) 1 (2OT)
RECORDS: Albertus Magnus (7-1-1, 5-0-1 GNAC) | Emmanuel (6-2-2, 4-1-1 GNAC)
BOX SCORE

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Saints struck first with a goal at the 10-minute mark as Alec Erskine (Coventry, R.I.) kicked a ball into the corner of the net that just crept past the fingertips of Falcons goaltender Garfield Robinson (West Haven, Conn.), giving the visitors the early edge.

Shortly after, Emmanuel would rip off another shot attempt against Albertus before the Falcons offensive unit gained some momentum. Carlos Lopez (West Haven, Conn.) intercepted a Saints' pass and swooped up the field, firing the ball towards the posts, unfortunately missing wide by inches.

Less than a minute later, Abdoul Aremu (West Haven, Conn.) flew up the field with the ball, finding Bobi waiting by the pipes. Bobi didn't waste the perfect pass from Aremu and rifled the ideal shot past the Saints' goalie Vincent Conelli (West Hartford, Conn.) to tie the game at 1-all in the 21st minute.

Albertus and Emmanuel continued to trade shots, but both were unable to find the back of the net and the half finished with the teams still tied, 1-1.

Albertus and Emmanuel came out firing on all cylinders to open the second half. A slew of shots on both sides failed to find the back of the net before a yellow card on the Falcons at the 65th minute gave the visitors the slight edge. However, the Saints were unable to capitalize before Bobi rocketed a shot that sailed over the crossbar.

Neither team could gain the advantage with the clock ticking down, as the conference showdown would head into overtime.

Albertus recorded the first overtime shot as Kelvin Cortez ( Meriden, Conn.) riffled a ball into the corner that Conelli blocked. The Saints ripped off the next four shots but were unsuccessful against the Falcons' defensive unit. Albertus managed to regain possession with a pair of corner kicks and a blocked shot from Bobi. However, the horn sounded, and both teams headed to the benches to prepare for the second and final overtime period.

The Saints controlled the second overtime period, securing three corner kicks and two shot attempts, but the Falcons' defensive unit remained impenetrable, and the Saints' offensive attack was foiled again.

The Falcons' Johan Stagnaro (East Hartford, Conn.) recorded the lone shot in the period but was unable to knock the ball in, and the second overtime period, and the match, ended in a 1-1 draw.

BETWEEN THE PIPES
Albertus: Garfield Robinson (7-1-1) - 6 Shots on Goal | 1 Goal-Against | 5 Saves
Emmanuel: Vincent Conelli (4-1-2) - 8 Shots on Goal | 1 Goal-Against | 7 Saves

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Emmanuel held the advantage in shots, 17-14.
• The Saints also won the battle in corner kicks, 7-6.
• Albertus has 12 fouls, compared to the Saints' 3.
• Over their last eight games, Emmanuel holds a record of 5-1-2.

UP NEXT

• The Saints return to action on Tuesday night as they travel across Boston to meet with Emerson for a 6:00 p.m. kick.

*Portions of this release courtesy Albertus Magnus Athletic Communications