Drexel University Athletics
Drexel University
Old Dominion
Drexel Draws 0-0 With Old Dominion in First-Place Duel
11/4/2007 3:42:52 PM | Men's Soccer
Philadelphia, Pa. – The match-up of the CAA's top two teams appropriately ended in a tie after 110 minutes of scintillating soccer. The Dragons (10-4-3, 7-2-1) remain undefeated in overtime matches this season and are still knotted atop the CAA standings with the Monarchs (10-6-2, 7-2-1). Drexel's defense shone as brilliantly as it has all season, winning challenge after challenge and allowing the team to hold on for a draw with its peer on the conference leader board.
Senior Mark Stevenson put in a top-notch effort on Senior Day at Vidas Field. The defender was in the middle of breaking up countless Monarchs' attacks. His well-timed tackles use of his height and leaping ability were an essential part of Drexel's defense against a lanky Monarchs' squad.
His teammates on the back line Bryan Ruff, Pat McCaffery and Brandon Fischer turned in equally impressive efforts in a match that was physical through its duration. Ruff was Drexel's answer to Old Dominion's titanic front line of six-foot strikers. McCaffery and Fischer won every important foot race to through balls on the wings and helped to disrupt the Monarchs' transition offense.
Keeper Cory Robertson pitched in three stellar saves for a hard-earned seventh shutout of the season. While Old Dominion keeper Evan Newton did not register a save, Drexel did keep him under pressure for the entire match with eight shots, but none on goal.
Junior Chris Schieve was in the middle of two scoring chances in the final overtime frame. The first of which went from his foot to Max Crockett who slid it to Anthony Bafile at the near post. Bafile's attempt was taken away before getting a shot off. Schieve's second effort came with about two minutes remaining after Greg Ermold laid out to block a clear. Schieve collected it at the right corner and rolled it to Bafile, but the passed kicked up off the striker's heel and was cleared.
Fans were treated to two thrilling plays in the first extra period. The first, with three minutes left, was set up on a nifty heel pass from Thiago to Fabio, who lifted a cross to Ermold in the box. Ermold headed it over to Bafile who settled it with his chest and was about to set up a kick when the defenders put a damper on the play.
Robertson's aggressive play paid off once again with a minute and a half in the first overtime as the keeper charged out to break up a play outside of the box with a scissor kick to knock the ball to Ermold who cleared it as his keeper recovered. But time ticked away and the match went into a second overtime.
Both teams did their best to prevent the match from going into overtime. With five minutes left Chris Schieve slid a ball past his defender and sprinted around the other side of the marking back, feeding the ball to Bafile in the box. The striker couldn't find a target, however, as three Monarchs defenders converged on him to divest him of the ball.
In the final two minutes of regulation, Old Dominion had two golden chances turned away by Drexel's strong defense. With just over two minutes left, the Monarchs' attack got past Ruff who had been vexing strikers all day. As Ruff tumbled to the ground with an Old Dominion player, the attacker blasted a shot from 18 yards out, but Robertson punched it away.
With eight seconds left in regulation, Old Dominion spun a ball toward the goal, Stevenson sprinted back and dove to head the ball back to Robertson while separating the attacker from the ball. Robertson smothered the threat as time expired.
Old Dominion controlled possession early in the match, but both of the Monarchs' best scoring chances were foiled by Robertson. Just under six minutes into the match the Drexel keeper made a reaction save off an Old Dominion shot from five yards away inside the goal box. In the 25th minute the Monarchs' Stig Haddal timed his run to meet a through ball at the top of the goal box. But Robertson timed his sprint off the line equally well and dove on the ball as Haddal's foot reached it.
On the other side of the field, Drexel's scoring opportunities missed their mark by and excruciatingly miniscule margin. Their first came in the 11th minute the Brazilian midfield connection of Fabio and Thiago Assumpção produced an open shot from 22 yards out at the center of the field. But Fabio's shot went just inches over the crossbar.
With 10 minutes left in the period Drexel got another chance off a set piece. Bafile served a looper into the box which Carlos Ruthner fought for and brought down, he heeled a pass across to Fabio Assumpção for a good look at the left side of the net. But the midfielder's right foot failed him, spinning the ball just wide of the left post.
The thrilling match was an honor to Drexel's three seniors who were recognized before play began as part of Senior Day festivities. Along with Stevenson, midfielder Ray Nedbal and keeper Derrec Mongan were noted for there dedication and selfless play during their Drexel careers.
The Dragons close out their 2007 regular season against regional rival Delaware on Thursday, Nov. 8 at 4:00 on Vidas Field. The match will be of great significance as the Dragons are in the hunt for a first-round bye in the CAA Tournament.
