Men’s Soccer Battles to 0-0 Tie at No. 8 UMBC
BALTIMORE, MD.- University at Albany men’s soccer (2-7-3, 0-1-1 AE) continues to play well against nationally ranked teams this season, posting a 0-0 tie at No. 8 UMBC on Saturday afternoon. The Great Danes crashed UMBC on its homecoming weekend, with the game moved to the UMBC stadium due to heavy rain.
“We showed a lot of determination and came together as a team today, said head coach Trevor Gorman. “We had a lot of players in major roles today. UMBC is a difficult team to play on the road, so it was great to get one point in-conference. We look forward to carrying our momentum from today into the game against UMass-Lowell on Wednesday.”
The Great Danes have yet to lose to a nationally ranked opponent this season, beating No. 22 Fairleigh Dickinson on their home soil on Sept. 15. It was the first victory in Division I program history against a nationally ranked foe.
UAlbany out-shot the eighth-ranked Retrievers 6-2 in the first half, with Anthony Rozzano and Phil Denara putting early pressure on UMBC’s goalie Phil Saunders. Denara sprawled out for a header that went just wide in the 28th minute. Denara was also on the receiving end of a free kick opportunity in the first half that was saved by Saunders. The Retrievers took the shooting advantage in the second half 6-2. Both teams tallied four shots on goal in 110 minutes of play.
UAlbany dug deep in the first overtime, with Thomas Manz making a stop at the goal line on a shot by UMBC’s Jordan Becker.
Trevor Gorman’s squad handed UMBC its first tie of 2013, and its second shutout. UAlbany also held one of the nation’s top scorers in Pete Caringi without a goal. Caringi ranks tied for first in the country with 10 total goals.
Tim Allen made four saves in goal before being replaced by Michael Pizzuti in the second overtime.
The Great Danes continue their America East slate with a home game against UMass-Lowell on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
