Men's Soccer Ties Scranton, 1-1

10/17/09

SCRANTON, Pa.-- Matt Brady scored the teams only goal of the game as the CUA men's soccer team (10-2-1, 2-1-1 LC) tied Scranton (8-4-2, 1-2-1 LC), 1-1 on Saturday.

Brady led the CUA offense with seven shots, four on target, but only hit the back of the net once.  In sloppy, cold, and raining conditions the Cardinals battled both the elements as well as Scranton.  

After Matt Brady's first attempt off of a free kick was blocked, the Royals were immediately called for another infraction, which Brady took advantage of by knocking his second attempt into the right corner of the net over the out-stretched arms of Scranton junior goalie Brandon Dombrowski.

The Royals kept the Cardinals on defense throughout much of the second half, but failed to capitalize on two scoring opportunities set up by Michael Drew. From the right sideline, Drew delivered a picture-perfect cross in front the Cardinal goal to Patrick Daley, whose shot attempt from 16 yards out sailed over the crossbar in the 50th minute. Moments later, Drew deflected a ball forward to a wide-open Straccia, but his shot attempt from 18 yards out went right of the net.

Catholic also had a couple of opportunities to end it in regulation.  Michael DiMarco blasted a shot from the left perimeter from 21 yards out that barely missed sneaking into the right corner of the net. In the 84th minute, Dombrowski came up with a save on a point-blank shot attempt by Brady on a ball served up off a corner kick by Brian Maher.

The Cardinals' best opportunity to win the match, however, came in the 105th minute of the second overtime period. Adrian Davis played a ball from midfield through the Royal defense to Brady, who found himself in a one-on-one with Dombrowski and fired a shot from 19 yards out that barely went right of the goal post. In the closing seconds, Brady blasted another shot from the left perimeter, but Dombrowski anticipated the shot, cut down the angle, and came up with his sixth save of the match. Catholic goalie Quinn Daly was credited with four saves in the match.

CUA will return to action on Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. as the Cardinals head north to take on the Goucher Gophers.