Box Score





In its first home Northeast-10 Conference match of 2013, the Southern Connecticut State University men's soccer team battled Assumption to a scoreless draw.

The teams traded excellent scoring chances in the early portion of the first half.  First, Assumption back Lucas Spina sent a cross into the box for teammate Ethan Morrow.  The freshman was able to get his head on the ball but his shot sailed high.  A few minutes later, Southern earned a corner kick, where a header by Daquan King (Plainville, Conn.)  was punched over the net by Greyhounds' keeper Dana King.

As the first half winded down, SCSU had two excellent scoring chances.  With 12 minutes to go before intermission, freshman Kevin Joslyn (Norwalk, Conn.) played a ball to sophomore Mads Larsen (Trondheim, Norway) as both Owls flew down the field; Joslyn down the middle while Larsen dribbled the ball along the right sideline a step or two ahead of the defense.  Alas, the Norwegian's return pass was knocked away by an Assumption defender.

Then at the 38 minute mark, midfielder Tyler Naef (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J.) had space down the left hashmarks and took a thru ball from Owls' co-captain Ross McGibney (Dublin, Ireland).  The sophomore's strike was yet again knocked above the goalpost by the Assumption goalkeeper.  

Although the match was scoreless at the half, SCSU led in many offensive categories; including both shots and shots on goal.

As the second half wore on, the teams' defenders successfully limited scoring chances.  The Owls' backline of Jonas Folstad (Trondheim, Norway), Alex Soriano (Wallingford, Conn.) and Matthew Gilmore (Cheshire, Conn.) held the Greyhounds to only two shots on goal in the second half.

With 16 minutes remaining, SCSU had its best scoring opportunity of the second half.  Larsen was able to navigate through multiple Assumption defenders inside of the box.  Christian Samaniego (Toronto, Ont.) took Larsen's pass and was able to get a shot off on goal.  King was up to the challenge again though, gobbling up the shot at him.

Before overtime began, both teams had final opportunities to get the win.  With just above 30 seconds remaining, Joslyn was able to get his foot on a teammate's long pass attempt.  The reigning NE-10 Rookie of the Week's strike rolled wide.  Assumption sophomore Glenn Libassi broke ahead of the Owls' defenders.  The sophomore shot was on net and it took all 6' 2" of Southern goalkeeper Stephen Sasso (Orange, Conn.) to make a diving stop just before the buzzer.   

For the match, the Owls outshot Assumption 20-18.  Sasso had seven saves, while King turned away all 10 SCSU shots on goal.

Southern is now 1-1-1, (1-0-1 NE-10) on the season, while  Assumption stands at 2-1-1, (0-1-1 NE-10).

The Owls go on the road for two matches, playing at Saint Rose on Sept. 24 and at Merrimack on Sept. 27.