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Photo Credit: Steve McLaughlin Photography
Photo Credit: Steve McLaughlin Photography
Posted: Oct 09, 2024

Men's Soccer Battles to 1-1 Draw Against Rivals Albertus Magnus

Game Program Video

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) men's soccer team battled to a 1-1 draw against rivals Albertus Magnus College (Albertus) Wednesday night during Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play on the USJ Soccer Field in West Hartford, Conn. The draw saw the Blue Jays' seven-game winning streak snapped, but increased its unbeaten run to nine games. The unbeaten streak is tied for the longest in program history. With the result, the Blue Jays move to 7-3-2 on the year and 6-0-2 in GNAC play, while the Falcons move to 6-3-3 overall and 6-0-2 in the conference.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

  • The Falcons controlled the opening half, limiting the Blue Jays to only two shots, one of which was on target, but the visitors could not generate a clear cut chance themselves, as the game remained scoreless entering the halftime break.
  • The game began to pick up in the second half, as graduate forward Henry McGarrah V (Hartford, Conn.) forced a one-on-one save out of the Falcons' goalkeeper David Lucero at the 56:53 mark.
  • Both team's continued to test the opposing goalkeepers, as freshman netminder Will Slayton (Manchester, Conn.) was called into action twice around the 73rd minute mark, preventing Albertus from grabbing the lead.
  • USJ would finally find the breakthrough with 78:06 on the clock when freshman forward Damir Cirikovic (Southington, Conn.) raced down the right flank, cutting a ball back across the goal into the path of freshman midfielder Mario Milardo (Middletown, Conn.) who tapped the ball into the net to establish a 1-0 USJ lead.
  • The Falcons answered back at the 81:03 mark, as Lorenzo Lauria cut inside from the left wing, curling a shot past the outstretched arm of Slayton, tying the score at 1-1.
  • Both teams continued to push late for the winning goal, but neither team could find the game-winner as the Blue Jays and Falcons settled for a hard fought 1-1 draw.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

  • Milardo netted his first career goal.
  • Cirikovic dished out his team-leading fourth assist of the season.
  • Slayton played all 90 minutes in net, recording five saves of the night.
  • Albertus outshot the Blue Jays, 20-12.
  • USJ held the edge in corner kicks, 9-4.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays round a three-game homestand on Saturday, October 12, hosting Anna Maria College for a GNAC clash. Opening kickoff against the AMCATS on the USJ Soccer Field is set for 12:00 p.m.

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