Box Score

NEWBURGH, N.Y. - With both teams battling for spots at the top of Skyline Conference, the Mount Saint Mary College men's soccer team played The Sage Colleges to a scoreless draw in 110 minutes of competition. The Mount improves to 8-5-1 on the year and 5-1-1 in the Skyline, while the Gators move to 12-2-1 overall and 6-1-1 in the conference.

Strong midfield play by both teams limited the scoring opportunities in the first half and it wasn't until the 48th minute that the Mount threatened to score. Mount junior Sean Barton (Wallkill, N.Y.) dribbled the ball down the right side of the field and sent a dangerous cross into the box, but Sage freshman goalkeeper TJ Zehner (Beacon, N.Y.) was up to the test and collected the cross before the Knights could capitalize.

The Gators countered with 28 minutes to go, as sophomore Jose Miranda (Bay Shore, N.Y.) sent a free kick sailing towards the right post. Miranda's shot was the Gators lone shot on goal in the game and Mount goalkeeper Matt Darling (Staatsburg, N.Y.) floated towards the right post to make a key save.

Feeling pressure to score as the clock waned down, Mount senior Matt Pagano (Mahopac, N.Y.) provided an offensive spark for his team, as he helped to develop two quality scoring chances. With under 18 minutes to play, Pagano won a loose ball in the offensive third and played the ball ahead through the legs of a Sage defender. Pagano placed a shot on goal, but Zehner was there to make the save. Less than five minutes later, Pagano sent a throw in towards the middle of the box. Mount senior Drew Altieri (Voorheesville, N.Y.) redirected the ball and Zehner came up with a critical save for the Gators.

Deadlocked after having played 96 minutes, the Gators narrowly missed the golden goal. A shot by Sage junior Scott Jarosz (Brunswick, ME)  skimmed off the top of the crossbar and went over the net and both teams remained scoreless through the overtime periods.

Darling finished with one save, while Zehner tallied five. The Knights held a slight 9-7 advantage in shots through the game. The Mount's defensive backline, comprised of junior Rob Thompson (West Babylon, N.Y.), freshman Jarrett Armstrong (West Hempstead, N.Y.),  senior Ryan Folken (Centereach, N.Y.) and sophomore Mark Maus (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.), did an excellent job containing the Gator forwards.  Mount sophomore Chris Marchese (Cold Spring, N.Y.) deserves recognition, as he completed the task of keeping the ball away from Sage's second leading scorer, Gustavo Trinidad (Mamaroneck, N.Y.).

Looking forward, the Knights will travel to NYU-Poly for a critical Skyline Conference contest. The Mount will take on the Fighting Blue Jays on Sunday, October 21 at 3:00 p.m.