Men's Soccer Drops Tough Road Game at Villanova 1-0
BOX SCORE
VILLANOVA, Pa. – University at Albany men's soccer (2-2-2) fell 1-0 at Villanova (2-3) on Sunday afternoon. The Great Danes will take nearly one week off before facing Hartwick in Oneonta on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.
“Today's result was very disappointing,” said head coach Trevor Gorman. “We dictated play in the first half, maintained possession and stayed on top. We had chances to take control of things but let the game off the hook. On the road that can come back to haunt you.”
Both teams started slowly, but UAlbany's best look came midway through the period, when Brandon Wilson played Jake Barros down the right side. The freshman forward fired, but the Villanova keeper saved his attempt.
With five minutes gone in the second half, junior Anthony Rozzano was pulled down in the Villanova box to set up a penalty kick. The Wildcat keeper slid in to make the save on Rozzano's PK attempt into the lower right corner.
But the Great Danes didn't let the momentum shift, as Wilson nearly broke free for a one-on-one with the goalie. Luke Palmateer served a ball up on the left side, but Villanova's goalie was just off his line enough to make the save.
Villanova began looking for its opportunities downfield with 15 minutes remaining in regulation. The Wildcats charged down the right side and managed a service across the six-yard box. UAlbany's back line was there to clear away the attempt.
Purple & Gold goalkeeper Tim Allen made a series of crucial saves on Wildcat corner kicks late in the game. Villanova pulled out a rebound and fired from the top of the 18, but Allen was there on the inward-swinging shot. The Wildcats earned another corner attempt, but Allen punched out the service with 10 minutes remaining.
The Great Danes countered, as Afonso Pinheiro found a wide-open Rozzano on the left side. The midfielder waited on Wilson streaking down the middle for the service, but the two couldn't connect.
Villanova headed back down to the UAlbany end, nearly firing on target down the right side on an overlapping pass. Bernardo Mattos knocked the ball away to force a corner kick.
This time, the Wildcats made the most of their opportunity, firing from the top of the 18-yard box for the goal.
With six minutes left in regulation, the Great Danes pushed forward for a series of quality looks. Pinheiro broke through two defenders on the right side on a Palmateer service, but fired high. With time expiring Pedro Espindola earned a Purple & Gold corner, but Villanova cleared on his service attempt.
Trevor Gorman's squad continues a two-game road swing at Hartwick on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 7:00 p.m.
