Men's Soccer Battles to 2-2 Draw on the Road at JWU

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) men's soccer team battled to a 2-2 draw on the road at Johnson & Wales University (JWU) in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) match on Wednesday night at the Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletics Complex in Providence, R.I. The Blue Jays took the lead twice against the Wildcats, who are ranked No. 6 in the United Soccer Coaches Region I poll, but JWU would tie rally back, holding on for the draw. 

GAME INFORMATION 
Score: USJ 2, JWU 2 
Records: USJ (8-3-3, 5-2-3 GNAC), JWU (11-1-3, 8-0-2 GNAC) 
Location: Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletics Complex (Providence, R.I.) 

KEY MOMENTS 

• Junior goalkeeper Jose Miguel Garcia Martin (Madrid, Spain) was called into action early, making two fine stops in the fifth minute to keep JWU off the board. 

• USJ would reward Garica Martin for his efforts, taking the lead in the 13th minute. The Blue Jays would combine for excellent build up play in the midfield, as the ball fell to the feet of junior forward Dane Stephens (Jamaica). Stephens then picked out a brilliant pass into junior forward Brian Silva (Naugatuck, Conn.), who looped the ball over the Wildcats' goalkeeper, giving the Blue Jays the 1-0 lead. 

• However, it wouldn't take JWU long to respond, levelling the match in the 17th minute. Graduate student midfielder Nick Gutekunst saw his initial shot be blocked, but the rebound fell directly back to him, as he tapped the ball into the net, tying the game at 1-1. 

• Following the flurry of goals, the match went quiet until the 31st minute. Stephens again would find the perfect pass, placing the ball into the path of senior midfielder Michael Torres (Hartford, Conn.) Torres would unleash a beautiful strike, finding the top right corner and reestablishing USJ's edge, 2-1. 

• JWU looked to quickly level the score line, forcing another pair of stops from Garcia Martin in the 33rd and 38th minute. The Blue Jays defense continued to stand strong, denying the Wildcats of the equalizer and taking a 2-1 edge into the halftime break. 

• The Wildcats found their game tying goal early in the second half, scoring in the 53rd minute. Graduate student midfielder Ricky Africo (North Providence, R.I.) played a long pass across the field to sophomore midfielder Conner Elliot (Mansfield, Mass.). Elliot brought down the pass before rifling his shot into the upper corner, levelling the score at 2-2. 

• USJ and JWU continued to trade chances in the second half, but neither could find the breakthrough goal as the teams took home a share of the points, playing out a 2-2 draw. 

QUOTABLE 

"It was a really strong effort from our players tonight. We scored a couple of excellent goals with good combination play in the first half, and arguably had a few other good chances. We had to defend well for long periods in the second half and our players rose to the occasion." said head coach Paul Wright. 

NOTES 

• Garcia Martin tallied a career-best 12 saves in between the posts, moving to 5-3-2 on the year. 

• Silva scored his second goal of the season, while Torres notched his fourth. 

• Stephens dished out his fifth and sixth assists of the year. He now leads the Blue Jays in the category. 

• JWU held the edge in shots, 20-13, and shots on goal, 14-6. 

• The Wildcats also had the lead in corner kicks on the night, 4-0. 

• JWU maintained their advantage in the all-time series, 4-0-1. 

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