Men's Soccer Plays Northeastern to 0-0 Draw

Saturday, October 12

Vidas Field

4:00

Drexel University

5-5-2, 1-0-1

Northeastern

5-4-3, 2-0-1

OT 3

OT 4

Northeastern

Drexel

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

10/12/2013 6:55:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - In a matchup of two of the top teams in the Colonial Athletic Association, defense ruled the day as the Drexel men's soccer team played Northeastern to a scoreless draw on Saturday at Vidas Field. Drexel (5-5-2, 1-0-1) snapped a three-game losing skid with the draw, earning a point against the Huskies (5-4-3, 2-0-1) for the first time since 2008.

Drexel was outshot by Northeastern 17-14 on Saturday, but the defense prevailed for its first shutout since September 24 against Rutgers. Tyler Afflerbach had five saves in recording his fourth clean sheet of the season.

A windy day in Philadelphia impacted play for both sides, as the Dragons and Huskies were unable to string many passes together. The sides also played conservatively on defense, unwilling to let a wind-aided ball get by them on the back line. Although both goalkeepers were called upon to make five saves, there were not that many legitimate chances for the teams to light up the scoreboard.

Playing with the wind at their backs to open the game, the Huskies were the aggressive team in the first half. Northeastern outshot the Dragons 11-5, forcing Afflerbach to make three saves in the opening period. The Huskies also earned five of the eight corners they would take on the afternoon.

Things were reversed in the second half when Drexel was the team playing with the wind. The Dragons put up seven shots, including three on goal. In the 69 th minute, Drexel got likely its best look of the day when Michele Pataia attacked from the left side, firing from about 12 yards out. Aiming for the back post, Pataia lofted a shot that nearly got over the reach of Northeastern goalkeeper Dylan Faber. However, Faber lunged and made a spectacular save, reeling the ball in while diving to his left in mid-air.

The game went into overtime, the first time Drexel has played an overtime game at home this season and just the Dragons' second overtime game of the season overall. After an uneventful first extra session, Northeastern turned up the pressure late in the second overtime, a period in which the Huskies were once again playing with the wind at their backs. Northeastern outshot Drexel 3-2 in the extra sessions and 3-1 in the second overtime. The Huskies' last shot was possibly their best look of the night, when Dante Marini freed himself up from 10 yards out, directly in front of the goal. He tried to go up top to beat Afflerbach, but popped the ball too high in the air as it sailed over the crossbar in the 109th minute.

Drexel will return to action on Wednesday when the Dragons visit UNCW at 7:00 p.m. Five of the Dragons' last six games of the season will be on the road, including four CAA tilts. Drexel will play at home on October 30 against Hofstra, Senior Night for the Dragons.