Wilkes-Barre, Pa. – The Stevens Institute of Technology men’s soccer team’s MAC Freedom opener with King’s ended in a scoreless draw Saturday night.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams had arguably their strongest looks of the opening half in the first 15 minutes. The Ducks’ Matt Murillo had a good look in the box blocked by a Monarch in the fourth minute; in the 12th minute, James Leonard headed a corner kick off the right post.
Throughout the remainder of the half, Dylan Falcone had a shot blocked, Ryan O’Byrne missed high from 25+ yards out, and Sam Gjokaj had a long-distance try of his own stopped by Kings keeper Ben Van Valkenburg.
In the second half, Omar Martinez had a shot saved by Van Valkenburg, Murillo had a header sail wide right, Emerson Kekesi missed high, and a long-range effort from Brian Babovic was blocked.
As it was in the first half, the iron was kind to Stevens (3-2-4) in the second when CJ Anderson’s volley off a corner kick hit off the crossbar in the 73rd minute.
In the game’s final minute, Babovic had another shot blocked and Max Rokhsar sailed a rebound attempt of the blocked shot over the crossbar.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Stevens goalkeeper Sebastian Montoulieu posted his second clean sheet of the season
- The Ducks did not allow a shot on goal for the first time this season, and the first time since last October 19 against Delaware Valley
- The teams combined for 17 shots, the second-fewest in a Stevens match this year
- Babovic, Ethan Hagen, and Luke Carey all played the full 90 for the second straight match, and Martin Fields did so for the third straight match
UP NEXT
The Ducks return to Pennsylvania next Saturday for a 3:30 opening kick with Misericordia.
#AllRise
