Alfred topped in ECAC quarterfinal
Brandon Harrison
MADISON, NJ—The AU men's soccer team's season came to an end Wednesday evening with a 3-1 loss to second-seeded Drew University.
The AU men's soccer team, earning a bid to their first ECAC game since 1990, was unable to advance in the ECAC Metro/Upstate Championships quarterfinal game, despite getting out to an early lead against the Drew University Rangers.
The Saxons were able to take the lead when sophomore defenseman
Oumar Soumahoro (New York, NY/Martin Luther King) crossed the ball into the box and met junior forward
Omar Mohamed (Rochester, NY/Edison) for a volley that was rocketed into the upper ninety.
Richard Lander (Narrowsburg, NY/Sullivan West) looked to double up the score on the Rangers when he put a shot on goal for the Saxons, but
Michael Reyes was there for the stop. The Saxons would carry the one goal advantage into the half.
The Rangers came out in the second half and got directly to work, scoring in the 58
th minute to tie the game at one. The goal came from a loose ball in the box, an opportunity the Rangers refused to pass up. The next two goals for the Rangers came by way of John Nogiewich in the 70
th and 87
th minutes. Nogiewich's goal in the 87
th minute was a PK to give the Rangers an insurance goal to close out the game against the Saxons.
Freshman keeper
Chris Gutierrez (Holbrook, NY/Sachem East) was in the goal for the Saxons, making seven saves. The Rangers held the advantage in corners, 8-4.
The Saxons fell to 9-8-3 (Empire 8 3-3-2) on the season, recording the first over .500 record since 2006. At the beginning of the season the Saxons were projected to finish the season last in the Empire 8, however the Saxons were able to reach the Empire 8 semifinal match (first time since 2006) and earn an ECAC bid (first time since 1990).