NEWBURGH, N.Y. – Senior forward
Matt Garcia (Wappingers Falls, N.Y.) scored the 26th goal of his career, setting a new program career record, as the Mount Saint Mary College men's soccer team (10-4-2) played to a 2-2 draw after two overtime periods with nationally-ranked No. 10 Amherst College (10-1-3) at Kaplan Field on Friday.
Five graduating Knights were honored prior to the start of the game. Seniors
Sean Barton (Wallkill, N.Y.),
Sean Lockwood (Manahawkin, N.J.),
Chris Marchese (Cold Spring, N.Y.),
Steve Ehresman (Whitestone, N.Y.) and Garcia were recognized for their contributions to the men's soccer program throughout their careers in the Blue and Black.
Garcia set the record with the go-ahead goal in Friday's affair. Garcia took a free kick from the far right wing, and blasted it past the keeper to the left side of the net to give the Knights a 2-1 lead in the 70th minute of the game.
Amherst's Nico Pascual-Leone tied the game with 49 seconds left on the board after redirecting a free kick from Cameron Bean, sending the game to overtime. Neither team was able to pick up a goal in two exhilarating extra periods, resulting in a 2-2 draw.
Greg Singer gave Amherst a 1-0 lead in the 63rd minute after redirecting a free kick from Pascual-Leone. Marchese tied the game after finding a loose ball in the box and tapping it over the line in the 66th minute. Sophomore midfielder
Mike Zanfardino (Saint James, N.Y.) picked up an assist on Marchese's goal.
The star of the game was junior goalkeeper
Austin Peluso (Farmington, Conn.) who played far better than his stat line. He made six stops in the match, and prevented many other scoring opportunities for the Lord Jeffs, earning him praise from the opposing coaching staff. His record on the season moves to 7-3-2. Amherst keeper Thomas Bull, as well as a strong back line for the Jeffs, kept the Knights' scoring opportunities at a minimum throughout the 110 minutes of the game. Bull made one save after facing just three shots on goal.
Amherst held a significant 21-3 advantage in total shots. The Knights made the most of their shots in the game, putting all three on net and connecting with two of them. Corner kicks were even at 5-5 in the contest.
After playing two double-overtime games in four days, the Knights have just one day off before taking on Yeshiva University on Sunday, Oct. 26. The game is set to begin at 7:45 p.m. at Overpeck Park in Ridgefield, N.J. Having already clinched the Skyline Conference Regular-Season Title, the Knights will have a bye following Sunday's game, and will await their Skyline Conference Championship semifinal opponent.
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