Second Half Comeback Falls Short for Men’s Soccer in 2-1 Loss to Cal State Fullerton
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. – The University at Albany men’s soccer team fought back from an early 2-0 deficit against Cal State Fullerton on Saturday night, but ultimately fell 2-1 to wrap up the Ryan Rossi Memorial Tournament.
“In the first half we did not play to our potential,” said head coach Trevor Gorman. “We fought well in the second half to get one back. Overall we created some chances to tie the game but couldn’t quite find the moment we needed.”
The Titans took an early 1-0 lead five minutes into the game off a corner kick. Minutes later Cal State Fullerton struck again on a rebound in front of the UAlbany net.
Anthony Rozzano had a chance in the 27th minute to cut the deficit to one. The sophomore split two defenders and fired a shot from the left side. Fullerton’s keeper Bryan Escalante made the diving save.
After knocking on the door off of corners several times in the first half, junior captain Dominic McGarr gave the Great Danes their first goal of the year on a rebound from fellow captain Thomas Manz.
UAlbany charged forward for the remaining 30 minutes of the contest in an attempt to even the score. Rozzano had the best look on the break in the 88th minute. Escalante made the save to preserve a 2-1 victory for the Titans.
Freshman Eric Orologio made his first career start in goal for UAlbany. Orologio made six saves between the pipes.
In a tale of two halves, Cal State Fullerton outshot UAlbany 11-4 in the first half, but the Great Danes registered a 10-7 shooting advantage in the second. UAlbany also gave up five corners in the first half while only earning one, but matched the Titans at four corners apiece in the second half.
UAlbany returns to the Capital Region to host Lehigh on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 7:00 p.m.
