GNAC Clash Results in 1-1 Deadlock

NEWTON, MA- Two overtime sessions were not enough to name a winner in today's Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) men's soccer clash between Suffolk University and Lasell College which resulted in a 1-1 deadlock through 110 minutes.  

The contest was an unruly and physical skirmish that produced 44 fouls and seven yellow cards (5 Suffolk, 2 Lasell) as the teams scrapped to pull out a win. Lasell's Aren Moorman (Somerset, NJ) and Suffolk's James Potter (North Kingston, RI) settled for a tie in their respective nets, with each goalie securing nine saves.

The physical battle really came to fruition after Lasell scored early to take a 1-0 lead, at 8:47. Adam Luciano (Fairfield, CT) was fouled at the top of the penalty box which awarded Lasell a direct kick on the Rams net.  Mike Skelton (Conway, NH) drove the ball in from 20 yards out in the left field for the unassisted goal which rolled into the opposite low corner of the net.  The one goal lead would stand up through the halftime break.

Niang Djibril (Dakar, Senegal) leveled the score to open the second half after a shot by Tyler Parmelee (Colchester, CT) was bobbled by Moorman on the goal line and Djibril was there to recover and tap in the deflected save. Djibril's goal was scored just 2:14 into the second half of play for the period.

The tie score motivated both teams to up their games as each squad produced 12 shots in the second period, including 11 on-goal shots between them.

Lasell had an excellent give-and-go opportunity on net between Skelton and Nery Guerra (Guatemala City, Guatemala) moments after Djibril's goal but Potter came up with a huge diving save to maintain the even keeled score.

Then, with just 20 minutes to play in regulation, Suffolk got a direct kick from 25 yards out which Danny Lloyd (Tegucigalpa, Honduras) sailed over Lasell's defensive wall and straight on net.  Moorman punched away the high shot as it floated towards the top ninety of the net.

Papa Mbate (Dakar, Senegal) put a shot on-target off a corner kick in the 76^th minute but Moorman once again came up with the strong save to fend off the change in score.  The final close-call was Lasell's as Jacob Allen (Westminster, MA) broke away from the pack and pulled Potter out of net in a one-on-one, but was unsuccessful with the resulting shot. 

At the conclusion of 90 minutes, the teams stood in a 1-1 stalemate with 39 fouls and seven yellow cards.

Overtime was more of the same as each team found worthy scoring chances.  With five minutes elapsed in the first overtime, Peter Clark (Upton, MA) received a centering pass from Skelton and pulled Potter out of goal to lob a shot over the keeper at the open net.  The ball knocked off the post and bounded back into play.  Clark attempted a second shot on goal while Potter was still recovering, but William Ceravone (Hamden, CT) kick away the shot for the team save.

Djibril nearly ended the game in the 98^th minute with a breakaway down the right field, but his shot soared just high of the Lasers' crossbar.

Lasell held a 3-0 edge in shots in the final overtime frame but none were successful.  The teams parted ways without a decision.

Suffolk finished the day with a 4-8-1 overall record as well as a 3-3-1 GNAC slate.  Lasell record stands at 6-2-3 so far this season and 3-1-2 in the league.

Lasell will play on the Monday, October 10^th Columbus Day holiday at Mount Ida College at 1:00 p.m.