Espindola Scores First Career Goal in Men's Soccer's 2-2 Tie at Hartwick
BOX SCORE
ONEONTA, N.Y. – The University at Albany men's soccer team (2-2-3) wrapped up a two-game road swing with a 2-2 double overtime tie at Hartwick on Saturday afternoon. The Great Danes return to Bob Ford Field for their first mid-week home game of the season on Tuesday.
“Today was a game with a lot of swings,” said head coach Trevor Gorman. “We did well to twice take the lead but are disappointed to have allowed Hartwick back in the game. We created plenty of chances to win, but we have to be ruthless enough to take them. Hopefully we learn and move forward stronger.”
In his third career start, Pedro Espindola gave UAlbany an early 1-0 lead in the 11th minute. The Hawks surrendered the ball in their defensive third, setting up an easy counterattack. The sophomore scored his first goal of the season, assisted by freshman forward and defending America East Rookie of the Week Afonso Pinheiro.
Espindola registered all four UAlbany shots in the first half, but neither team found the back of the net for the rest of the period.
With a 1-0 lead in hand going into the break, the remainder of the scoring was done within a 10-minute span in the second half. Hartwick tied the game at one less than five minutes into the second half on a shot from outside the 18-yard box.
Pinheiro responded by beating the goalie to notch his third goal in three games. The freshman now leads the Great Danes in points with seven (3g, 1a).
The Hawks tied the game at two in the 61st minute. After gaining back some second-half momentum, Hartwick took five shots and three corners over the next 15 minutes.
UAlbany kept possession in the Hartwick third for the majority of the last 10 minutes of regulation. The Great Danes had two quality looks off of corners by Philip Persson in the 80th and 85th minute, but a pair of headers from Dominic McGarr sailed high.
For the second consecutive game, Anthony Rozzano was pulled down in the 18-yard box to set up a penalty kick for UAlbany. Espindola took the shot, but fired high with 40 seconds left in regulation.
Pinheiro hit the post five minutes into the first 10-minute overtime period. Jake Barros tagged the crossbar in the second overtime, but both teams came up empty and the game ended in a 2-2 tie.
UAlbany men's soccer has now played for 110 minutes on four occasions this season. The Great Danes are 0-1-3 in extra time a 2-0 when scoring three goals or more.
“It was a tough result for us today, but we will use this to fuel up for Tuesday night's game,” said senior midfielder Brandon Wilson. “We have the energy, as well as the heart and desire to win; now we need to work to put away teams when we have the chance and get the results we deserve.”
Trevor Gorman's squad will play three of its next four games at Bob Ford Field, starting with Lafayette on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 7:00 p.m.
