Men's Soccer Uses Second Half Momentum to Down George Mason 2-0 on the Road
BOX SCORE
FAIRFAX, VA. – Two goals in less than two minutes gave University at Albany men's soccer (2-1-0) its second-consecutive win on Saturday night, beating George Mason (1-2-0) 2-0 in Fairfax. Carlos Clark and Leo Melgar tallied the goals for the Danes.
“Tonight was a very solid performance on the road,” said head coach Trevor Gorman. “George Mason is a good team, and put us under pressure early. I thought once we found our rhythm we were very good, and kept getting better.”
UAlbany was on the defensive early, as two Mason corner kicks in the first four minutes led to shots. Eric Orologio in his second start of the season made one quick save to avoid a 1-0 hole.
The Great Danes and Patriots traded offside calls mid-way through the half. The momentum swung in UAlbany's favor in the 22nd minute, as Nico Solabarrieta had a shot saved by Steffan Kraus.
Both teams continued to be aggressive through the midfield, and Mason had a look on net that hit the post. UAlbany responded with its own flick on goal with the counter-attack, as Carlos Clark put a header towards the right side of the goal, forcing a diving save from Kraus.
The Purple & Gold kicked off the second half with some key take-aways in their own end, but couldn't connect to the forward line. The Danes won the time-of-possession battle through the midfield without putting any shots on goal through the first 10 minutes.
Mason managed a look from the top of the 18 in the 56th minute, but senior co-captain Martin Gorrie slid over to block the attempt. Keith Traut intercepted another Mason shot moments later to keep the score tied at 0-0.
After Moosah Khanat cleared up field on a Patriots set piece, with Afonso Pinheiro leading a 4-on-3 counter-attack to the other end. The sophomore played classmate Jake Barros a bit too far, and Kraus called defenders off to thwart the charge.
The Danes did not let up, as a Mason foul set up a free kick 25 yards out. Service fell outside the Patriots box, but Khanat fired low and wide. Philip Persson found Pinheiro for another Purple & Gold shot shortly after, but the teams remained scoreless.
The game continued to pick up pace, as Mason streaked down the left side to put a shot on goal, but Orologio made the save. The ensuing Patriots corner kick was cleared away.
After Gorrie served up a set piece on net, and the rebound rolled out to Khanat. The sophomore transfer sent a pass up from 30 yards out, connecting with Clark for the duo's first career points in the Purple & Gold in the 75th minute.
Persson was taken down in the box moments later, and Leo Melgar made good on a penalty kick in the 77th minute. The junior scored less than two minutes after Clark to give the Danes a 2-0 lead.
The Purple & Gold held defensively for the closing moments of the game, securing a 2-0 victory and its second consecutive shutout.
Carlos Clark and Moosah Khanat recorded their first career points in the victory, while Leo Melgar notched his second goal to lead the team this season. Orologio made three saves for his second clean sheet of 2015.
UAlbany men's soccer returns to its home turf this Thursday against UMass (0-3-0) at 7:30 p.m. The game is part of a UAlbany soccer doubleheader, starting with the women playing Dartmouth at 5:00 p.m.
