ASTON, Pa. - The Neumann University men's soccer team battled to a 1-1 draw on Saturday afternoon with the visiting University of Scranton.
Daniel Rival was the goal scorer for the Knights on the afternoon, while goalie
Seth Walker finished the day with five saves.
In an action packed and very even contest that featured 37 shots between the two teams, it would be the Royals who earned the early lead. A mad scramble in the box after a corner kick in the 16th minute led to a Scranton seeing-eye shot that squeaked its way into the net past a sea of bodies. A Neumann defender had an opportunity to clear the ball off the line but it ricocheted off his leg and into the roof of the goal to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
The Knights would have a majority of the possession the remainder of the half but could not find the back of the net. Neumann's best chance to level the contest came midway through the frame when an excellent passing sequence led to what looked to be the tying goal. After a
Gavin Ford shot was saved by the Scranton net-minder, Rival ripped home the rebound only to be called back for offsides on the play. The Royals also hit the hosts on the counter for a few near misses, but ultimately the game would head to the half with the visitors holding a one goal advantage.
After making a few tactical changes at the intermission, Neumann came out charging to open the second stanza. It took the Knights just 10 minutes to level the contest at one apiece, as Rival found a loose ball in the box off a
Marlon Trejo corner kick and drilled home the equalizer. This time the offsides flag stayed down and the Knights leveled the contest at 1-1 with 35 minutes to play.
The remainder of the match would be a scrappy affair with each team battling for every inch on the field. The Royals carried an 8-5 edge in shots in the period but each team had their chances to win the game. Scranton nearly found a winner with 10 minutes left when a low driven cross from the right flank was knocked over the bar in tight by a Royal forward. Neumann's best chance came in the final five minutes when a great buildup between
Mitchel Yeakley and Ford led to a shot blocked inside the six by a Royal defender.
With the game still knotted at 1-1, the contest moved to overtime. In the first extra session, Neumann dominated play with four shots compared to just one for Scranton but the Knights couldn't find a winner. Each team had dangerous opportunities from corner kicks in the period but neither could find the back of the net.
As the game moved the the final overtime. Scranton began to take the upper hand. The Royals had three shots in the frame, but Walker stood tall in goal, making a save on the lone shot that found its way on frame. Neither team could find a winner though and the game would finish in a well deserved tie for both teams.
Neumann (1-2-1) will have off until next Wednesday, September 11th when it hits the road for another non-conference matchup at Ursinus College. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
