Daza Scores in OT as No. 20 Stevens Finishes Unblemished Empire 8 Season
UTICA, N.Y. (October 29, 2011) – The No. 20 Stevens Institute of Technology men’s soccer team came back from a pair of one-goal deficits to defeat Empire 8 rival Utica College 3-2 in overtime on Saturday. Junior Victor Daza (North Plainfield, N.J.) scored twice on the day - including the OT game-winner - to lead the Ducks (14-2, 6-0). Senior Zach Bowman (La Plata, Md.) scored the opening goal for Stevens.
It was a cold day in upstate New York, with the kickoff temperature at 38 degrees, and the hosts wasted little time setting up Shane Wittemann (Ronkokoma, N.Y.) off of a set piece opportunity for the game’s first goal at 6:24. Jonathan Wood (Derry, N.H.) sent the free kick that was redirected by DJ Ilebani (Abuja, Nigeria) to Wittemann for the goal.
Stevens countered eight minutes later off a set piece of their own. Stephen Dunbar (Johns Creek, Ga.) ripped a good shot that needed to be saved and kicked aside by Wittemann playing defense. Junior Zach Adler (McKinney, Texas) then took the ensuing corner kick and served a header up Bowman who found the back of the net to tie the game at one.
The scoring continued at a quick pace seven minutes later as Wood's goal allowed Utica to reclaim the lead. Jonathon Peterson (Bedford, N.H.) set it up with a long cross and Wood buried it into the upper right-hand corner for the 2-1 advantage. The Pioneers would maintain that lead through halftime, outshooting the Ducks in the period 9-8.
Stevens began asserting its influence in the second half, applying offensive pressure over the first 15 minutes and was rewarded with the game-tying goal as Jonathan Stallone (Hicksville, N.Y.) sent a ball into the box for Daza. The ball was misplayed by a Utica defender, allowing Daza to get off a shot into the upper right corner to tie the game at two at 60:52.
The teams played back-and-forth for the final half-hour of regulation play, with Stevens taking four second half corner kicks without allowing one all game for Utica. Still, neither team was able to find the winning goal before overtime began.
The extra period was heavily slanted toward Stevens. Utica was pinned down in its own zone after an offside call against them, and Stevens had three shots in overtime while holding Utica without a shot in the period.
With less than one minute remaining in the first OT, Dunbar sent a ball into the box for Daza. Again aided by a Utica defensive miscue, Daza turned and fired the ball into the right side of the net for the game-winner – his third game-winner of the season and eighth overall.
Paul Killian (Ellicott City, Md.) earned the win in goal for the Ducks after making eight saves.
Stevens will host the semifinals of the Empire 8 Tournament at 2 p.m. on Friday and, if victorious, will host the Empire 8 Final on November 6. The Ducks’ opponents and gametime for November 6 will be announced on Sunday.