Men's Soccer Grinds to Scoreless Draw in Opener at St. John's

Friday, August 26

Queens, N.Y.

8:00

Drexel University

0-0-1

St. John's

0-0-1

Team	1	2	OT 3	OT 4	Final F
Drexel	0	0	0	0	0
St. John's	0	0	0	0	0

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

Men's Soccer Grinds to Scoreless Draw in Opener at St. John's

8/26/2016 11:09:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

QUEENS, N.Y. – A grinding, physical affair opened the 2016 season for the Drexel men's soccer team on Friday night as the Dragons visited St. John's and emerged with a well-earned scoreless draw. The Dragons' defense starred throughout, as Drexel kept the Red Storm off the scoreboard despite being outshot 20-7 on the evening.

Senior goalkeeper Tyler Afflerbach put together his first shutout of the season and the 13th of his career, making five saves including a pair of point-blank stops in the first half that held off an early charge from the host Red Storm. Freshman center back Daniel Klemm had a debut to remember, clearing a ball off the line in the 37th minute as a rebound shot for St. John's got past Afflerbach and nearly provided the first goal of the game. Klemm's poke preserved Afflerbach's clean sheet, as he also did early in the second overtime period when he broke up a strong scoring opportunity for St. John's in the offensive zone.

Chris Haskins also made a potential game-saving play late in the action, sliding in to knock a ball away as the Red Storm gained possession in front of the net in the 104th minute.

Drexel had just seven shots on the evening and just one that found its way on goal, but the Dragons were not without their own opportunities. Just over 10 minutes into the second half, Armin Efendic – making just his second collegiate appearance after missing nearly the entire 2015 season with an injury – got a shot off that caromed off the crossbar and out of play, just inches from giving the Dragons their first goal of the season. The Dragons maintained some of their best offensive pressure of the night early in the second half, but could not get another look as solid.

Tristan Thompson put the Dragons' lone shot on goal up in the 90th minute, with just under 30 seconds to play before the end of regulation. Taking control from 25 yards out, Thompson fired a clean look that was right to St. John's goalkeeper Michael Bernardi. That save allowed the Johnnies to move quickly upfield for a final look as Andrea Previati's chip shot as time expired sailed just over the crossbar.

Despite being outgunned throughout regulation, Drexel controlled play for most of the first overtime session. It opened with a shot from Xavier Bou Hernandez which was lifted narrowly high, and ended with a Colin McGlynn redirect that trickled inches wide. A St. John's defender was unable to even touch the entry pass to McGlynn, who appeared to be expecting some resistance and just missed. In total, the Dragons got off three shots in the period, equaling their total for the entirety of regulation. St. John's countered with four shots in the second overtime, but Drexel's defense – led by Klemm, Haskins and Afflerbach – held its ground.

With a game now under their belts, the Dragons will return to Philadelphia for their next outing as they open Soccer Six play next Tuesday night at La Salle. The Dragons and Explorers will do battle on Aug. 30 at La Salle's McCarthy Field with kickoff slated for 7:00 p.m.